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WHY ARE WE HERE? 

An Answer 



BY 

Ervin A. Rice 



Press of 

P. F. Pettibone & Co. 

Chicago 






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*v 



Copyright, 1913 

BY 

Ervin A. Rice 



^CI.A354 



Right is the seed within the sod 

That knows not why, but thro' the clod 

Uplifts itself to seek for God. 

Bight is the impulse of the soul 
That stirs thro' all the sense control 
Insisting on a nobler goal. 

Whatever helps you to the height 
Of your best self, and gives you light 
To see God's truths — that thing is right. 

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 



QUOTATION REFERENCES. 



The figures refer to the page of the book indicated 
by the letter. 

A.. First Principles Herbert Spencer 

B. Science and Theism. An address by Prof. A. E. Dolbear 

C. The Unseen Universe . . Balfour, Stewart and Tait 

D. The Ascent op Man Henry Drummond 

E. The Soul in Human Embodiments, Cora L.V. Richmond 

F. Harmonics of Evolution . . . Florence Huntley 

G. Reincarnation Jerome A. Anderson 

H. Brain and Personality . . . Wm. Hanna Thomson 
I. The Great Psychological Crime, . . . "T. K." 

J. The Great Work ■ . "T. K." 

K. The Ascent of Life . - Stinson Jarvis 



WHY ARE WE HERE? 



There comes a time, when, with earth's best love by 
us, 

To feed the heart's great hunger and desire, 
We find not even this can satisfy us; 

The soul within us cries for something higher. 

What greater proof need we that we inherit 

A life immortal in another sphere? 
It is the homesick longing of the spirit 

That cannot find its satisfaction here. 

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 



PREFACE. 

THE average person is too deeply en- 
grossed with the commercial and so- 
cial details of every-day life to pay 
much attention to the laws underlying and 
governing human existence here and here- 
after. The contents of this book will not 
appeal with any special interest to those 
who are satisfied with "one world at a 
time," or accept the dogmas of their par- 
ticular religion without question or curi- 
osity as to whether they constitute a logical, 
rational explanation of this life, or furnish 
a satisfactory and reasonable solution of the 
problem of life to come. 

There are many, however, who are in- 
tensely interested in trying to find a system 
of philosophical or religious teaching that 
commends itself by its reasonableness, its 
logic and its application to every phase of 
human life. To such truth seekers the views 
herein presented are modestly submitted for 
their thoughtful consideration. No claim is 
made by the writer for originality so far as 



14 Why Are We Here? 

the ideas themselves are concerned, but 
merely for placing together simply and con- 
nectedly, what seem to be the best and most 
essential teachings from various philoso- 
phies, so as to form a brief, general outline 
of the system of natural and spiritual laws 
governing human life. 

The publication of this book being purely 
a personal matter, not for profit, and at the 
repeated urgings of many friends, a few 
words of a personal nature may be excus- 
able. From early childhood I have been 
deeply interested in the mysteries of human 
existence, and curious to learn the purpose 
of life; whence we came, why we are here 
and whither we are going. Desire grew with 
the years, to study the great religious and 
philosophic teachings relating to primal and 
ultimate things, to sift out with an impartial 
and unprejudiced mind, those gems of 
thought and wisdom which appealed to my 
reason and which, taken together, might es- 
tablish a logical and consistent system that 
would afford a satisfactory and reasonable 
explanation of the inequalities and incon- 
sistencies which we find all about us. 



Why Are We Here? 15 

I have been singularly favored by per- 
sonal contact and acquaintance, with some 
of the clearest minds and most exalted char- 
acters of the present generation. I have re- 
ceived words of wisdom from the lips of 
seers and mystics with whom it has been an 
honor to associate. I have delved for facts, 
theories, revelations, doctrines, anything 
that would bring to light here or there a 
stone of truth that might be built into the 
structure I had in mind. My aim has been 
to "hold fast that which is good," believing 
that while no one line of teaching held all 
the truth, probably every line possessed 
some element of it. 

I have given much study to the salient 
points of the great religions and have made 
careful, personal investigation and study of 
the modern cults, including Spiritualism, 
Theosophy and Psychosophy. I have found 
and correlated such points of agreement and 
consistency as were entitled to be considered 
in establishing a reasonable basis of ethics 
and an explanation of life. 

Places or conditions of reward and pun- 
ishment never appealed to me as plausible or 
sufficient reasons for being good. Coming 



16 Why Are We Here? 

into frequent contact with instances of good 
people suffering poverty and distress, while 
others who violated all the laws of morals 
and ethics lived in luxury and apparent hap- 
piness, impressed me strongly that there 
must be some better explanation ; that there 
must be immutable and beneficent laws gov- 
erning these affairs as truly and justly as all 
the material universe is governed by natural 
and inexorable laws. It seemed to me that 
as physical evolution shows fundamental 
laws that develop higher and more complex 
and perfect forms, this evidence of design 
and purpose should have its counterpart in 
the spiritual development of mankind ; that 
such analogous spiritual laws would not only 
account for the inequalities of human life, 
but would furnish a rational, scientific basis 
of morals, apart from any theological sys- 
tem of rewards and punishments. 

In the search for these laws, I feel that I 
have been successful, not as a discoverer in- 
deed, but as one who has been extremely for- 
tunate in coming into contact with those who 
possessed the desired knowledge, and I have 
merely tried to outline and indicate these 
physical and spiritual laws in a simple way 



Why Are We Here? 17 

without any effort to elaborate upon them. 
My intention is to emphasize the fact that 
there is a clear and dominant purpose every- 
where evident in the universe, and that all 
physical and spiritual laws are beneficent 
in their very nature and tend forever to- 
ward the fulfilment of that divine purpose. 

I acknowledge with fervent gratitude, my 
profound obligations to many teachers of 
truth who have furnished me with enlight- 
enment. No responsibility rests upon them, 
however, for this book, for while certain 
principles and teachings are theirs, the 
adaptation, use and juxtaposition with oth- 
ers are mine. While the sponsors for the 
best ideas may not be pleased to see them 
placed in the same company with other 
views, I have tried to be clear and just in my 
expression of those ideas, and if I have 
failed in this, the responsibility is mine. 

In short, I have gathered and combined 
from many sources, and present this outline 
of my philosophy of life for the benefit of 
those who may be eagerly groping for truth 
without the unusual advantages of associa- 
tions which it has been my great privilege to 
enjoy. As an hypothesis it will be judged 



18 Why Are We Here? 

by its efficiency in solving the problems of 
life. To me it is logical, consistent and sat- 
isfying, and I hope it may be as helpful and 
uplifting to others as it has been to me. 

Being only an outline, it may stimulate 
the reader's desire to study more fully along 
the lines of thought it suggests. To those 
who would pursue the subject further, I 
earnestly urge the careful study of the 
books from which I quote. There are in- 
numerable books more or less related to the 
subject that are interesting and helpful, but 
more or less varying, confusing and incon- 
sistent. Those quoted from are strong, clear 
and instructive. If I could choose only two 
books for my life companions they would be 
"The Great Work" and "The Soul in Hu- 
man Embodiments." 

There will always remain unsolved prob- 
lems and unanswered questions, but the 
teachings outlined herein and further 
elaborated and defined in the works referred 
to, will furnish a key to right living, a rea- 
son for human existence and a glimpse of 
the infinite beneficence of the divine plan. 



Why Are We Here? 19 

May this little book bring peace and satis- 
faction to the inquiring mind, and justify 
its own existence as we must all justify ours. 



Ervin A. Rice. 



6615 Yale Avenue, Chicago, 
June, 1913. 



All are but parts of one stupendous whole 
Whose body Nature is and God the soul; 

All nature is but art unknown to thee; 

All chance, direction, which thou canst not see; 

All discord, harmony not understood; 

All partial evil, universal good; 

And spite of pride, in erring reason's spite, 

One truth is clear, lYhatever is, is right. 

— Pope's Essay on Man. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE SEVEN PROPOSITIONS: GOD, THE SOUL, EMBODI- 
MENTS, SPIRIT STATES, FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES, 
FREE WILL, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. 



THE principal elements in the hy- 
pothesis presented in the following 
chapters, consist of seven definite 
propositions. 

1. There is an infinite and universal in- 
telligence permeating and pervading the 
whole material universe, directing and gov- 
erning all physical, mental and spiritual 
growth and development through immutable 
and inexorable laws which are inherently 
beneficent. This supreme consciousness is 
God, and the universe is the expression or 
manifestation of this infinite, omniscient, 
omnipotent, omnipresent, eternal entity. 

2. The human soul is an immortal, eternal, 
finite entity, in quality "like unto God" but 
finite instead of infinite in degree and scope. 
The soul is to the human body what God is 
to the universe. 

3. The expressions or manifestations of 
the soul in earth life consist in a series of 



24 Why Are We Here? 

life experiences or successive embodiments. 
This does not mean reincarnation or trans- 
migration as generally understood, but a 
succession of lives for acquiring knowledge 
and experience, each embodiment being an 
advance in soul growth upon the preceding 
one. These successive lives are necessary to 
give exact justice to all souls and to achieve 
victory over all the temptations, trials and 
ordeals of earthly experience. 

4. Between the successive embodiments 
of the soul there are spirit states which are 
states of fruition, where the experiences of 
the preceding life in the body are assimila- 
ted, and the lessons of that life made a part 
of the soul's knowledge. Communication 
between those in the spirit and those in the 
body is possible and common, but communi- 
cation through mediumship is not always to 
be commended and is often harmful, degrad- 
ing and destructive. There is a better way, 
by bringing one's self into direct contact 
and communion with the spirit world, 
through right living and moral and spiritual 
development. 

5. There are in Nature two great under- 
lying principles always at work. One is con- 



Why Are We Here? 25 

structive and impels ever and always toward 
physical, mental, moral and spiritual per- 
fection. The other is destructive and strives 
unceasingly toward disintegration, disease 
and death. These two principles operate in 
the moral and spiritual world as well as in 
the physical, and man must conform his life 
to Nature's constructive principle if he 
would attain independent spiritual unfold- 
ment, self-control, poise and mastership. 

6. Man is endowed with free will and 
choice, within the limits of natural laws. 
While he is governed by these great laws and 
influences, such as heredity, environment and 
compensation, he may by exercise of free 
will and choice modify and surmount them, 
not by breaking through but by conforming 
to them. Man is not therefore the creature 
of fate or circumstances but is potent to be- 
come the master of his own destiny. 

7. Every human being is personally re- 
sponsible to himself and to God, for the use 
he makes of his opportunities to develop his 
spiritual capacities. This responsibility 
cannot be shirked or shifted by any scheme 
of salvation but must be borne by the indi- 
vidual, until in the " fullness of time'' he 



26 Why Are We Here? 

shall achieve the highest degree of spiritual 
unfoldment. 

It is not intended to maintain these propo- 
sitions by argument in these pages, but sim- 
ply to present sufficient reasoning to make 
them clearly understood. 

The reader is invited to divest his mind of 
previous prejudice, if possible, and with an 
open mind, consider the propositions upon 
their merits, and their relations to each other 
upon their consistency. Their value as a 
whole will be determined by their reason- 
ableness and their rational application to 
the explanation of the inequalities of human 
life, the prevalence of evil and the uses of 
pain and sorrow. 



Build on resolve, and not upon regret, 

The structure of the future. Do not grope 
Among the shadows of old sins, but let 

Thine own soul's light shine on the path of hope 
And dissipate the darkness. Waste no fears 
Upon the blotted record of lost years, 
But turn the leaf and smile, oh, smile, to see 
The fair white pages that remain for thee. 

Prate not of thy repentance. But believe 
The spark divine dwells in thee. Let it grow. 

That which the unpreaching spirit can achieve 
The grand and all creative forces know. 

They will assist and strengthen as the light 

Lifts up the acorn to the oak tree's height. 

Thou hast but to resolve, and, lol God's whole 

Great universe shall fortify thy soul. 

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 



CHAPTER II. 

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH; THE UNKNOWABLE J THE ATOM J 
CONCLUSIONS OF SCIENTISTS; UNIVERSAL INTELLI- 
GENCE IN nature; EVIDENCE OF INTELLIGENT 
DESIGN; SYMPATHETIC VIBRATIONS; GOD 
IN THE UNIVERSE. 



A NY study of the unknown must natur- 
A\ ally begin with the known. A student 
of occult, religious or philosophical 
principles should first prepare his mind by 
obtaining an intelligent, comprehensive 
grasp of the material universe and the 
known laws and principles which govern it. 
Earnest study of modern science in its vari- 
ous branches broadens the vision, inspires 
with awe, develops the idea of a purposeful 
design, and opens the way for the reception 
of spiritual truth. 

A superficial consideration of the facts 
and laws of physical science often leads to 
the materialistic conclusion that unintelli- 
gent force acting upon inert matter is quite 
sufficient to account for all the wonders of 
Nature, and that to ascribe an intelligent 
cause is unecessary and unwarranted by 



30 Why Are We Here? 

Science. A more profound study, however; 
will almost certainly bring the mind around 
to an acknowledgment that back of all the 
laws, systems and harmonies of Nature, 
there must be postulated an intelligent di- 
rection, to sufficiently account for them. 
This has been generally accepted by modern 
scientists under Spencer's term of "The 
Unknowable." 

By continually seeking to know and being continu- 
ally thrown back with a deepened conviction of the 
impossibility of knowing, we may keep alive the con- 
sciousness that it is alike our highest wisdom and our 
highest duty to regard that through which all things 
exist as "the Unknowable." (A 123.) 

The Unknowable, however, is not neces- 
sarily unthinkable. The finite human mind 
may not comprehend or "know" infinite 
space, infinite time or infinite intelligence, 
but it may perceive the idea both intellectu- 
ally and spiritually. There may be percep- 
tion without comprehension. 

The atheistic or materialistic scientist is 
becoming rare. The latest scientific conclu- 
sions as to the very nature of matter itself 
are destructive to the materialistic view. 
Even the idea of the inert atom as the final, 



Why Are We Here? 31 

indivisible particle of matter is strongly op- 
posed by the theory that the atom itself is 
composed of electric ' ' ions, " or is only 

a vortex ring of ether in the ether, and its properties 
are due to the character of the motion which is em- 
bodied in it in addition to the inherent qualities of the 
ether out of which they are made. (B.) 

As the ring possesses energy, energy must have 
been spent to produce it, but no physical energy such 
as we have any experience with, could possibly pro- 
duce a vortex ring in a frictionless medium, much less 
in the ether and one must postulate some different 
energy in the universe as the primal condition for 
organizing energy into a vortex ring. * * * Choice as 
well as energy is exhibited here. * * * Consciously di- 
rected, super-physical energy must be assumed to give 
a rational account of the apparition of the first atom. 
(B.) 

Scientific reasoners are everywhere reach- 
ing the same conclusion. 

Consider the position into which Science has 
brought us. We are led by scientific logic to an un- 
seen, and by scientific analogy to the spirituality of 
this unseen. In fine our conclusion is that the visible 
universe has been developed by an intelligence resi- 
dent in the unseen. (C 221.) 

Science does not know indeed what forces are; it 
only classifies them. Here, as in every deep recess of 
physical Nature, we are in the presence of that which 



32 Why Are We Here? 

is metaphysical, that which bars the way imperiously 
at every turn to a materialistic interpretation of the 
world. (D 339.) 

Thus the profound scientist of today finds 
himself compelled by the logic of the situa- 
tion, to recognize an Unseen Directing In- 
telligence at the heart of things, sufficient to 
produce and account for all the phenomena 
of Nature. It is scarcely necessary for the 
ordinary thinker to dig so deeply, or analyze 
so thoroughly, in order to find convincing 
testimony to this all pervading intelligence. 
No matter in which direction one may de- 
vote his study and investigation, there he 
will find marvelous, awe-inspiring evidence 
of this Universal Mind. 

The wonders of Astronomy, the unerring, 
mathematical accuracy of the laws govern- 
ing the movements of the planets in a sys- 
tem, and of systems within our observation, 
are overwhelming in their magnificence, and 
impressive beyond words in their implica- 
tion of a Supreme Architect of the Uni- 
verse. The revelations of the microscope 
are no less grand and wonderful than those 
of the telescope. In the field of the infinitely 
little we find the same mathematical pre- 



Why Are We Here? 33 

cision, the same infallible order, the same 
perfect adaptation to use and circumstances 
as is displayed in the unlimited field of 
larger things. 

Study the structure of a plant, a leaf, a 
flower, and note how perfectly it is con- 
structed for the fulfilment of its purpose. 
Observe the anatomy of any insect or ani- 
mal, and see how completely its owner is 
equipped for the requirements of his ex- 
istence. Examine the physical body of man 
with its various organs each exactly adapted 
to perform its functions. See how Nature 
makes use of mechanical principles in build- 
ing her structures, and mark how strength, 
symmetry, beauty and proportion are pre- 
served, together with the best economy of 
weight and space for the desired purpose. 

Whether in the geometrical formation of 
the crystal or the evolution of the most com- 
plex forms from Ameba up to Man, there is 
shown everywhere and in every department 
of Nature a marvelously accurate and per- 
fect adaptation of means to an end, of organ 
to function ; the design is adequate to the de- 
mand. These statements are indeed mere 
platitudes to the cultured mind, but they 



34 Why Are We Here? 

have a part and place in demonstrating in- 
telligent, constructive design in the physical 
universe. 

The earnest student of laws and forces in 
any department of science is startled, awed 
and profoundly stirred by the marvelous 
harmonies everywhere disclosed. The won- 
derful system of harmonies of sound known 
to musicians needs only to be mentioned. In 
the realm of light and color, similar laws of 
order and harmony prevail. Manufacturers 
of perfumes recognize a like system of har- 
monious combinations in the preparation of 
their products. The laws of atomic weights 
and combinations of chemicals are a source 
of intense interest, showing likewise the 
prevalence of an exact, orderly, harmonious 
system. All these systems of harmony are 
arranged with mathematical accuracy and 
precision, and deeply impress the idea of an 
intelligent design upon the mind of the stu- 
dent. 

When we speak of matter we are apt to 
think only of tangible material such as we 
can see, touch or recognize by any of our 
physical senses. We must not forget that 



Why Are We Here? 35 

air is matter and that we live completely im- 
mersed in matter. The solid, liquid and 
gaseous forms of matter we can weigh, 
measure and manipulate, but there are 
more, and still more, tenuous forms that we 
can neither appreciate with our senses nor 
demonstrate with our most delicate mechan- 
ical instruments. 

In these finely attenuated forms of matter 
lie many secrets of Nature, that will one day 
be revealed by the inquisitive mind of man. 
Science informs us that all matter is in con- 
stant motion. The atoms and molecules are 
vibrating and rotating with the same free- 
dom and activity as the suns and planets, 
and the laws controlling their action are 
equally perfect, equally unchangeable and 
equally the work of the Universal Intelli- 
gence. 

Vibratory or wave motion is a general 
method in Nature, of transmitting energy. 
Sound is the most familiar instance of this. 
Light is another and Electricity a third. 
Only when the lengths of the different vibra- 
tory waves are in correct, mathematical re- 
lationship toward each other can harmony 
be produced. 



36 Why Are We Here? 

If two pianos are tuned alike and a chord 
is struck on one, the corresponding chord is 
sounded on the other instrument. This is 
Sympathetic Vibration and is the key to 
many interesting phenomena. A fragile 
wine glass may be shattered by a continuous 
sounding of its pitch note upon a violin. 
Iodide of Nitrogen may be exploded by cer- 
tain vibrations of the "G" string on a bass 
viol. Columns of marching infantry break 
step when crossing bridges, for fear of com- 
municating the vibration of a cadenced step 
to the structure, to such an extent as to be 
dangerous. Wireless telegraphy employs 
the principle of Sympathetic Vibration, and 
greater wonders will appear as man more 
clearly comprehends and learns to use his 
knowledge of these finer forces and princi- 
ples. The secret of telepathic communica- 
tions lies in sympathetic vibrations between 
the brains of two persons perfectly attuned 
and harmonized with each other. 

The proposition of Universal Intelligence 
pervading and animating the material uni- 
verse seems clear. Whether it is an ethical 
intelligence or not will be considered in an- 
other chapter. 



Why Are We Here? 37 

Whatever be the title or designation of that Infinite 
Being, God is only known within the Soul, and only 
understood in its innermost and divinest conception ; 
this is what we mean by the name God. There can 
be no other Infinite ; there can be no other Omniscient, 
Omnipotent, Infinite Being: the Deity. (E 10.) 



Within the silent rock exist 

A billion yearning lives. 
Man is a petty egotist 

To think he only strives, 
To think he only struggles up 

To God through toil and pain. 
He is but one drop in a cup 

Filled from the mighty main. 

The flowers have tender little souls 

That love, repine, aspire. 
Each star that on its orbit rolls 

Feels infinite desire. 
The diamond longs to scintillate 

When hid beneath the sod. 
The universe is animate 

With consciousness of God. 

— Author not known. 



CHAPTER III. 

EVOLUTION; THE TENDENCY TOWARD HIGHER FORMS; 

AN ASCENDING ENERGY RECOGNIZED; DRUMMOND's 

ADVANCE ON DARWINISM; A DIVINE PURPOSE 

SHOWN; UNIVERSAL INTELLIGENCE IS 

ETHICAL. 



WHILE the idea of evolution, in the 
general sense of gradual growth and 
development as a method of prog- 
ress in Nature, is very old, Evolution in its 
more modern acceptation as the mode of cre- 
ation, is comparatively recent. As now gen- 
erally understood and accepted by physical 
scientists, the term includes the two great 
functions of all plant and animal life, Nutri- 
tion and Reproduction, as basic factors in 
the problem of physical development, while 
Natural Selection and Sexual Selection are 
regarded as the great determining forces as 
to the direction which differentiation shall 
take, in producing new or improved forms. 

Science for centuries devoted itself to the catalogu- 
ing of facts and the discovery of laws. Each worker 
toiled in his own little place — the geologist in his 
quarry, the botanist in his garden, the biologist in his 
laboratory, the astronomer in his observatory, the his- 
torian in his library, the archaeologist in his museum. 



42 Why Are We Here? 

Suddenly these workers looked up ; they spoke to one 
another; they had each discovered a law; they whis- 
pered its name. It was Evolution. (D 8.) 

Evolution is distinctively a recital of the 
processes and stages through which, and by 
which, all physical nature as we see it today 
has developed or evolved from the primitive, 
nebulous condition of matter, or what is 
often referred to as " Primeval Chaos.' ' It 
is a story of material progress, growth and 
development and has to do with the laws and 
forces governing material things. As man 
has grasped the meaning of those physical 
laws and forces, he has been compelled to 
recognize the Universal Mind working in, 
through, and behind them all toward some 
ultimate purpose. 

Physical Science has discovered, demon- 
strated and accepted one tremendous fact — 
that from some Unknown Cause the course 
of evolutionary development is upward; 
that there is a potent " Cosmic Urge" con- 
stantly and unceasingly pressing forward to 
the production of higher physical forms of 
life. It is true there are instances of rever- 
sion and degradation, but these are cases 
where the natural operation of the great 



Why Are We Here? 43 

laws of progress have been interfered with 
and overcome by other laws of circumstance 
and environment. 

Many do not accord to Physical Science 
this advanced position, and it is true that 
physical matter and blind force are the lim- 
itations beyond which many physical scien- 
tists will not venture. These still regard in- 
tellect as the result of chemical action and 
combustion of brain cells, and deny Univer- 
sal Intelligence in physical Nature. It is 
only fair, however, to credit Physical Sci- 
ence with the most generally accepted con- 
clusions of its latest and best thinkers, and 
these acknowledge that the physical laws 
and operations of Nature indicate an intel- 
ligence everywhere present, though they 
may choose to give it no better name than 
"The Unknowable." 

An ascending energy is in the universe and the 
whole moves on with one mighty idea and anticipation. 
The aspiration in the human mind and heart is but 
the evolutionary tendency becoming conscious. * * * 
Men begin to see an undeviating ethical purpose in 
this material world, a tide, that from eternity has 
never turned, making for perfectness. * * * The su- 
preme message of science to this age is that all Nature 
is on the side of the man who tries to rise. (D 340, 341.) 



44 Why Are We Here? 

In his " Ascent of Man," Prof. Drum- 
mond has done well to emphasize the fact 
that Evolution is an ascending process, and 
that God in his processes of evolution has 
not been the hard, pitiless being that the 
cruel, selfish doctrine of "The Survival of 
the Fittest" would appear to indicate. 

The theory of Evolution has itself been an 
evolution and its development is still in 
progress. Darwinism, based on Nutrition, 
or the Desire for Pood, as the one funda- 
mental factor, makes of Evolution simply 
"A Struggle for Existence," "A Struggle 
for Self" and the "Survival of the Fittest" 
— a hard, cold, automatic process without an 
adequate purpose, and the acme of selfish- 
ness. Drummond strikes a higher note when 
he introduces the function of Reproduction 
as a co-ordinate factor with Nutrition, and 
shows the development of Altruism increas- 
ing in degree as higher forms are reached 
and passed, attaining its culmination in 
man. 

Drummond, through Reproduction, or the 
Desire to Reproduce One's Kind, makes of 
Evolution "A Struggle for Others" as well 
as "A Struggle for Self," which is a distinct 



Why Are We Here? 45 

advance on the thought of Darwin. While 
he admits the magnitude and universality of 
the " Struggle for Self" idea, he claims 
equal value and prominence for the " Strug- 
gle for Others" principle, even in the early 
stages of development, and clearly demon- 
strates that 

in the world's later progress — under the name of 
Altruism — it assumes a sovereignty before which the 
earlier Struggle sinks into insignificance. (D 13.) 

The first, the Struggle for Life, is throughout, the 
Self -regarding function ; the second, the Other-regard- 
ing function. The first, in lower Nature, obeying the 
law of self-presiervation, devotes its energies to feed 
itself; the other, obeying the law of species-preserva- 
tion, to feed its young. While the first develops the 
active virtues of strength and courage, the other lays 
the basis for the passive virtues, sympathy and love. 
In the later world one seeks its end in personal ag- 
grandizement, the other in ministration. One begets 
competition, self-assertion, war; the other unselfish- 
ness, self-effacement, peace. One is Individualism, 
the other Altruism. (D 19.) 

Nothing is in finer evidence as we rise in the scale 
of life than the gradual tempering of the Struggle 
for Life. Its slow amelioration is the work of ages, 
may be the work of ages still, but its animal qualities 
in the social life of Man are being surely left behind ; 
and though the mark of the savage and the brute still 
mar its handiwork, these harsher qualities must pass 
away. In that new social order which the gathering 



46 Why Are We Here? 

might of the altruistic spirit is creating now around 
us, in that reign of Love which must one day, if the 
course of Evolution holds on its way, be realized, the 
baser elements will find that solvent prepared for 
them from the beginning in anticipation of a higher 
rule on earth. (D 35.) 

Whenever the scheme was planned, it must have 
been foreseen that the time would come when the 
directing of part of the course of Evolution would 
pass into the hands of Man. A spectator of the drama 
for ages, too ignorant to see that it was a drama, and 
too impotent to do more than play his little part, the 
discovery must sooner or later break upon him that 
Nature meant him to become a partner in her task, 
and share the responsibility of the closing acts. * * * 
He holds the dominion of the world of lower life. 
He exterminates what he pleases; he creates and he 
destroys; he changes; he evolves; his selection re- 
places natural selection ; he replenishes the earth with 
plants and animals according to his will. * * * By 
the same decree, he finds himself the guardian and 
the arbiter of his personal destiny and that of his 
fellow-men. The moulding of his life and of his chil- 
dren's children in measure lie with him. (D 38.) 

This later view of Evolution as a method 
of creation discloses a glimpse of the Divine 
Purpose of physical evolution — the upbuild- 
ing of a world for Man to live in, and the de- 
velopment of a physical organism suitable 
for the use and occupancy of a human soul. 
In doing this much, Physical Science has 



Why Are We Here? 47 

earned our gratitude even though it stops at 
Nutrition and Reproduction and overlooks 
more potent forces. Had Physical Science 
undertaken to explain how or why the pri- 
mal cell happened to be endowed with the 
Desire for Pood, and the Desire for Repro- 
duction, the limits of physical demonstra- 
tion must have been crossed and it would no 
longer have been Physical Science, but 
something broader and more complete 
known to modern students as Natural Sci- 
ence. 

Why is Evolution upward? What is this 
irresistible agency moving with the majestic 
power of an infinite glacier, as constantly 
and persistently as gravitation, always and 
forever forward and upward in the scale of 
life? It is the Almighty Will of God. 
There is no other adequate answer. 

Because Evolution is upward, because all 
development of physical nature has been to- 
ward higher forms, because this Infinite 
Will has evolved all forms of life for the use 
and benefit of Man, because the evolution of 
animal life has reached its highest type in 
Man and because Man alone is endowed with 
intellectual and spiritual powers, giving him 



48 Why Are We Here? 

dominion over all other animate and inani- 
mate things of Earth, this Infinite Will is 
shown to be not only conscious and intelli- 
gent but beneficent and ethical. God is 
therefore not only Infinite Intelligence, but 
Infinite Goodness — Infinite Love. 



Asleep, awake, by night or day, 
The friends I seek are seeking me; 

No wind can drive my bark astray, 
Nor change the tide of destiny. 

What matter if I stand alone? 

I wait with joy the coming years; 
My heart shall reap where it has sown, 

And garner up its fruit of tears. 

The waters know their own, and draw 
The brook that springs in yonder heights. 

So flows the good ivith equal law 
Unto the soul of pure delights. 

The stars come nightly to the sky 

The tidal wave unto the sea; 
Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high, 

Can keep my own away from me. 

— John Burroughs. 



CHAPTER IV. 



beginnings; solar systems in 

eureka; planets further evolved than ours; 

advent of man as a factor in evolution; 

inadequacy of drummond's position; 

a higher view; spiritual forces 

back: of evolution. 



IT IS futile, perhaps, to seek for the be- 
ginnings of things, either material or 
spiritual, but the zetetic mind of man 
cannot refrain from wondering how the uni- 
verse came into being, whether a human soul 
is created at the birth of every child, and 
what is the purpose of that soul's existence. 
As to the material universe, we rest upon 
the fact that matter is indestructible and 
has always existed in some form. It is 
scarcely credible to suppose that the entire 
universe was created (in the sense of formed 
or evolved) at the same time. Solar systems 
with their central suns and attendant plan- 
ets and satellites have been evolved, have 
fulfilled their purpose and have been re- 
solved again into their primal atoms during 
the eternal past. Others are in process of 
formation and in all stages of development 



52 Why Are We Here? 

at the present time. In the countless aeons 
of time to come, these systems will reach the 
climax of their development and return to 
their primal atomic condition, to be again 
re-formed into solar systems. From the in- 
finite past through the eternal future this 
process goes on. 

The reader who loves to speculate upon 
these matters will enjoy reading Edgar A. 
Poe's " Eureka: A Prose Poem" published 
in 1848. Poe wrote of this essay: "What I 
here propound is true : — therefore it cannot 
die : or if by any means it be now trodden 
down so that it die, it will 'rise again to the 
Life Everlasting.' Nevertheless it is as a 
Poem only that I wish this work to be 
judged after I am dead." 

Two-thirds of a century have elapsed 
since " Eureka" was written — a period of 
time excelling all others in scientific ad- 
vancement and extension of human knowl- 
edge — and yet this essay stands without a 
peer, in its magnificent beauty as an exam- 
ple of original fancy and scientific reason- 
ing. It may be faulty and imperfect in 
some respects, but it is a masterpiece in its 



Why Are We Here? 53 

grasp of teleology and reveals the inspira- 
tion of genius. 

As our planet is evolved from primal mat- 
ter until it is suitable for the habitation of 
man, and for the unf oldment, development 
and expression of the human soul, so are the 
innumerable planets of innumerable sys- 
tems prepared for similar purposes. Some 
are in their infancy and mankind has not 
yet appeared upon them. Others like our 
Earth are in the vigor of youth and the souls 
inhabiting them are just coming into full in- 
tellectual stature. Still other planets have 
advanced to where our Earth may be a mil- 
lion years hence, and their people have at- 
tained such a stage of spirituality, and their 
physical conditions are such, that a glimpse 
thereof would seem to us like a vision of 
" Celestial Glory." 

Could it be possible for you to perceive the inhab- 
itants of Jupiter, * * * you would see beings whom 
you would fall down and worship, but they are not 
to be worshipped, they are only higher expressions of 
Souls like yourselves. (E 93.) 

If the expressions on the planet Jupiter are such 
that the grossest forms there would transcend your 
highest ideal, your visions of fairyland, your concep- 
tions of Paradise ; if matter is so subjugated by spirit 



54 Why Are We Here? 

and by the law of the planetary life of Jupiter that 
all labor is performed by the rarest mechanism and 
thought; if even the perfection of all mechanical im- 
pulses, inventions and delicate intricacies of life gov- 
erning Mars are superseded by the still more subtle 
and wonderful processes known in Jupiter, then there 
could be no conception in the mind of man on Earth 
of what the expression of life on Saturn is. (E 94.) 

When Nature had evolved the highest 
type in the animal kingdom — physical Man 
— when the house was ready for the occu- 
pant, then entered the Human Soul, taking 
possession at this point and becoming the 
most important factor in the scheme. When 
Man, with his highly evolved brain capacity, 
came upon the field of action, a new element 
was introduced and the progress of Evolu- 
tion not only greatly accelerated but di- 
rected into new and higher channels. Here 
began the growth and development of the 
Human Soul, and Evolution proceeded 
along intellectual, moral and spiritual lines 
as well as the purely physical. 

Drummond discovered a much higher 
force at work in physical evolution than did 
Darwin, but both fail to give credit to the 
intellectual, moral and spiritual force of the 
Human Soul after the appearance of man 



Why Are We Here? 55 

upon the earth. Drummond did in fact rec- 
ognize that "the directing of part of the 
course of Evolution would pass into the 
hands of man" ; "that Nature meant him to 
become a partner in her task and share the 
responsibility of the closing acts" ; that "his 
selection replaces natural selection" and 
that he "finds himself the guardian and the 
arbiter of his personal destiny, etc."; but 
still bases his whole contention upon the 
purely physical Law of Reproduction and 
its development into the Struggle for Oth- 
ers. 

It is indeed strange that so fine a rea- 
soner, so profound a thinker, schooled in a 
life-time of study, should have stopped at 
this point when the next step to the higher 
plane was so apparent. Up to the time the 
first Human Soul became embodied on 
Earth, Darwin's and Drummond 's laws 
were paramount and effectual, but with the 
Human Soul came a new element of force, 
destined to become in time the master of all 
physical laws and forces — Intellectual and 
Spiritual Power. 

Darwinism discovers no higher purpose in indi- 
vidual life than a contribution to species. It offers no 



56 Why Are We Here? 

other reward for conformity to natural law than sur- 
vival of the " Physically Fittest." It sets no higher 
ideal before human intelligence than a healthy body 
and material comfort. To the aspiring soul of man 
it promises nothing better than total extinction when 
its contribution to species is accomplished. 

Against this unwarranted and demoralizing doc- 
trine, intelligence rebels. It refuses to accept as final 
those assumptions which degrade life and life's pur- 
poses to the level of the physical functions and appe- 
tites. (F 126.) 

Drummond postulates a moral order in 
Nature, but aims to establish love and altru- 
ism as the direct results of physical laws 
and functions. His omission of spiritual 
laws and forces can only be ascribed to his 
orthodox religious training, and a determi- 
nation to adhere strictly to what is generally 
accepted as scientific reasoning, and to avoid 
precipitating theological controversy. That 
he glimpsed the spiritual side of the ques- 
tion is evident, and its avoidance was appar- 
ently intentional. 

He holds that morality, love and altruism come into 
the world as a result of the physical pain and the 
physical sacrifice of the female half of all life. He 
fixes upon the enforced physical sacrifice of the female 
in reproduction, as the one and only cause in Nature 
for the evolution of love. He thus conceives the ex- 
traordinary idea that Nature embraces an absolutely 



Why Are We Here? 57 

diabolical plan for forcing love upon the human fam- 
ily; for, to quote directly, the moralist says: "Love 
is forced upon the world at the point of a sword." 
Thus a great teacher of spiritual truth not only fails 
to find spiritual principles governing physical evolu- 
tion, but he insists that the physical functions create 
the love relationship and the ethical phenomena of 
human life. (F 132.) 

He has advanced a theory of love which history and 
universal experience disprove. * * * He has so in- 
terpreted the love relation of man and woman as to 
contravene the highest aspirations and ideals of every 
thinking man and woman. (F 133.) 

The earnest student of spiritual laws, 
however, soon finds himself compelled to ac- 
cept spiritual principles and forces as com- 
ing first in the great plan — as underlying 
and preceding all physical laws and opera- 
tions. As thought directs action, as purpose 
precedes performance, so the spirit of God, 
the spirit of man, spiritual elements and 
forces, are manifested and expressed 
through physical phenomena. 

Man alone represents a principle in Nature Avhich 
confers self-consciousness, personal identity and the 
capacity for persistence as an individualized intelli- 
gence. * # * Every physical thing in this physical 
world is but a manifestation of the potent and more 
enduring spiritual elements and forces. (F 138.) 

One who studies the spirit of physical matter dis- 
covers, first, that all the operations of individuals in 



58 Why Are We Here? 

the lower kingdom are intelligent. He finds that all 
activities of animals are governed by conscious intelli- 
gence resident in the spirit. He discovers, further, 
that the voluntary acts of men are directly referable 
to that highest, and apparently indestructible, entity, 
the self-conscious intelligence or soul. (F 140.) 

Man, physically embodied, represents all the prin- 
ciples, properties and elements in Nature. He there- 
fore represents all of the energies, capacities and ac- 
tivities of the kingdom below his own. To these he 
adds psychical powers, or the energies and capacities 
of the Soul Element. It is, therefore, declared upon the 
basis of long investigation and repeated experiment 
and demonstration, that evolution is the result of spir- 
itual laws and forces. It is also held that the ethical 
phenomena of human life have their origin in the 
energies and activities of the Soul. This position, as 
will be seen, denies a solely physical basis of evolu- 
tion, whether the phenomena considered are physical, 
spiritual or psychical. It denies that the evolution 
of man is the sole result of feeding, breeding and bat- 
tle. It denies that man, a spiritual being, a living 
soul, is the automatic result of the digestive organs or 
of physical reinforcement from without. (F 140, 
141.) 

Thus, the higher science considers the evolution of 
man, and classifies all his activities, as results and ef- 
fects of natural, spiritual and psychical laws and 
forces. This being true, physical nature is a mani- 
festation of spiritual nature. Morality is an effect of 
psychical forces and not of physical forces. Love is 
an activity of the soul and not an efflorescence of the 
physical functions. (F 141.) 



Why Are We Here? 59 

The reader who appreciates this higher 
view of Evolution and desires to follow it 
through in detail, should not miss reading 
" Harmonics of Evolution" which is a " phil- 
osophy of individual life, based upon Nat- 
ural Science as taught by modern masters of 
the law." 



0, sometimes comes to soul and sense 
The feeling which is evidence 
That very near about us lies 
The realm of spirit mysteries. 

J. Gr. Whittier. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE SOUL; EXPRESSION IN MATTER; INVOLUTION; THE 

SOUL'S DESIRE FOR EXPRESSION ; DUALITY ; 

PRIMAL EMBODIMENTS. 



THE Soul is an eternal, immortal, 
finite entity. In an illustrative sense 
the Soul is to the human body what 
God is to the universe. The idea that a new 
soul is created every time a child is born, 
and may enjoy or achieve immortality, is il- 
logical and unscientific. Nothing immortal 
can have a beginning in mortality. The Soul 
being immortal must have always existed. 
With an eternal future before it, there is 
also an eternal past behind it. 

The Supreme Consciousness of the Universe is God, 
the supreme consciousness of man is the Soul. These 
make up the consciousness of the Universe. (E 10.) 
The Soul is related to God as the finite to the in- 
finite, the resemblance being in quality but not in 
scope. * * # It is uncreate as God is ; but as the 
Soul is finite it must forever be encompassed by the 
Infinite. (E 11.) 

God and Souls are the only entities ; God 
infinite and Souls finite. It is the Soul that 
perceives God since it is of the same nature, 
but differing in degree. 



64 Why Are We Here? 

The individual expression of the Soul is under the 
government of the individual Soul, but the whole life 
of the universe is under the government of the Soul 
of the universe, God. (E 14.) 

As God finds expression in the material 
universe, so the soul, in its primal state of 
pure being, seeks expression as the result of 
the impulsion, or volition, from the Soul to- 
ward activity. 

There are intermediate conditions be- 
tween the state of being and the state of ex- 
pression — a process of preparation of the 
Soul for expression in material life, through 
a long series of degrees of gradual infolding 
of the Soul from the absolute state — an in- 
volution. 

There are gradations of involution for the Soul as 
there are gradations of evolution for the body : not in- 
stantly was the atom ready to produce the form of 
man as the first generic expression of life upon the 
earth; not instantly is the Soul ready, with the first 
step of involution, for expression in matter. There 
are degrees; each step being somewhat of a with- 
drawal from the state of perfectness; gradually the 
light and splendor of perfection which belongs to the 
Soul must be veiled, in order that existence in mat- 
ter may be expressed. (E 21.) 

A fundamental, a priori principle, inher- 
ent in spiritual beings is the desire for ex- 



Why Are We Here? 65 

pression. The possessor of a special talent 
or power can never rest content until that 
faculty or potentiality finds expression in 
action. The artist and sculptor must ex- 
press themselves in forms of beauty or col- 
or ; the poet is impelled to find expression in 
verse, for his " divine fire"; the musician, 
the singer and the orator charm and sway 
the multitudes in giving expression to their 
particular abilities. 

This desire for expression is universal 
and elemental, and is equivalent to the in- 
nate craving for happiness. The Infinite, 
Omnipotent, Supreme Intelligence finds ex- 
pression in the universe, acting through all 
his marvelous physical and spiritual laws. 
From molecule to man, from satellite to sun, 
every material atom feels the impulse of 
that divine energy and strives to express it, 
through chemical action and reaction, 
through attraction and repulsion. Thus are 
the planets formed for the use of man, to 
afford the opportunity for Human Souls to 
express themselves and achieve, through ex- 
perience, the sublime heights attainable only 
by conforming to the constructive princi- 



66 Why Are We Heref 

pies, inherent in Nature as the expression of 
the Infinite Being. 

Since expression is the intent of God as manifested 
in the universe, so expression is the intent of the Soul 
in accordance with its finite resemblance to God. (E 22.) 

The existence of an Infinite Intelligence 
implies a purpose, for a purposeless God 
would be nothing more than blind, unintel- 
ligent force. The purpose of God would ap- 
pear to be the growth, development and un- 
foldment of the human soul. As physical 
man is a product of physical evolution, so 
the Soul must unfold and develop according 
to analogous spiritual, evolutionary laws. 

All manifestations or expressions of God 
in Nature reveal duality — masculine and 
feminine, positive and negative, active and 
passive — these are qualities indicating this 
duality of the material universe. The Soul 
is dual in expression. The first step of the 
Soul toward expression, from the state of 
being to the state of doing, is the impulsion 
— the will to do. The next step is division — 
duality, and finally there is expression in 
human forms as male and female. 

Untold ages passed before our planet be- 
came ready for the human soul to begin its 



Why Are We Here? 67 

pilgrimage thereon, and while earthly con- 
ditions were preparing for Man's advent, 
the Human Soul, in its state of being was 
preparing for its own evolution and expres- 
sion through many successive embodiments 
in earthly life. 

The physical life has been evolved to meet the in- 
volved Soul, and at the point where they can meet, 
creative expression in the physical form takes place, 
and could no more be prevented than could two lines 
of light approaching each other be prevented from 
conjunction, or any two coincident lines be prevented 
from meeting. (E 30.) 

The first expression of the Soul in matter is in the 
form of Man and Woman. No lower type of existence 
could express that which humanity reveals; no other 
type than humanity could express the Soul and that 
which is intended to be expressed or represented. 
(E 33.) 

The masculine and feminine elements are 
always embodied as male and female re- 
spectively, and are not interchanged during 
all the successive embodiments. The two ex- 
pressions of the one soul are continuing 
their corresponding lives and experiences 
simultaneously, and are unfolding uni- 
formly in the same degree, but never are 
there more than the two expressions of the 
one Soul at the same time. 



Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: 
The Soul that rises with us, our life's star, 

Hath had elsewhere its setting, 
And cometh from afar: 

Not in entire forget fulness. 

And not in utter nakedness, 

But trailing clouds of glory do we come 

From God, who is our home. 

— William Wordsworth. 



CHAPTER VI. 

successive embodiments; justice to all souls; all 
must have all experiences ; evidences of indi- 
vidual consciousness; its persistence 
through successive lives. 

♦ ♦ 

TO many people the idea of re-incar- 
nation or successive lives on earth 
seems repellant, even absurd and 
fantastic, but this attitude of mind is due 
either to a lack of correct teaching on the 
subject, or to deep-seated prejudice due to 
life-long acceptance of the doctrine of a sin- 
gle life on earth with a possible immortality 
thereafter. 

The sincere and earnest truth-seeker, de- 
siring a rational explanation of the inequal- 
ities and apparent injustices by which he is 
surrounded, finds little satisfaction in being 
compelled to leave all compensations and 
adjustments to a future life of which he can 
learn little or nothing. His mind seeks an 
exposition of the Divine Plan which he feels 
must exist, and operate under fixed laws, to 
extend absolute justice to every human soul 
in the execution of the purpose of a just, all- 
wise and beneficent God. 

As God is absolutely just, every soul must 



72 Why Are We Here? 

have every experience on earth, during its 
complete unfoldment, and this makes many 
successive lives a positive necessity. The 
circumstances may differ with different 
souls, but the experiences will be sufficiently 
similar to teach the same lessons, and like 
the pupils of a school, all must learn the 
same lessons before graduating. 

No human soul in its eternal, progressive 
evolution can afford to miss any experience 
of life whether joyful or painful. To lack 
experience is to lack unfoldment, for many 
of life's most beautiful lessons are learned 
only through sorrowful experience. The di- 
vine inheritance of every human soul is the 
right to perfect development, and if any 
soul missed any experience, it would be 
cheated of a portion of its heritage. 

The argument of compensation hereafter 
for happiness missed in earth life, does not 
meet the requirements of justice; for if 
there is compensation for missed happiness 
there must also be compensation for missed 
misery, and punishment for evil, making a 
positive Hell as necessary as a positive 
Heaven. If babes who miss all life's lessons 
by dying in infancy could be compensated 



Why Are We Here? 73 

by learning them all in the future life, then 
there would be no use of their being born at 
aU. 

No philosophy is susceptible of proof, for 
the moment it is proven it is no longer a 
philosophy but a science. The value of a 
philosophy lies in its application to the prob- 
lems of human life, and it is rational and 
acceptable only as it solves those problems. 
If it gives complete, logical and satisfactory 
answers to all the inquiries of the thought- 
ful, unbiased mind, then that philosophy 
may be accepted as true. The philosophy of 
Successive Embodiments, correctly inter- 
preted and understood, does this. The doc- 
trine of only one life on earth does not. 

The student who desires physiological and 
psychological evidence of the existence of 
the soul as a self-conscious entity, and argu- 
ments showing the necessity for the accumu- 
lated experience of many embodiments, will 
find ample material in the books from which 
we quote. 

Feeling accompanies all possible experience. 
Whether one hate or love, whether he live in intel- 
lectual realms or those of sensuous emotions, feeling 
accompanies each state so faithfully that the only ex- 
planation of this is that it is the presence of a self- 



74 Why Are We Here? 

conscious soul, exercising an underived and underiv- 
able power innate in consciousness itself, and hence a 
ray from or an aspect of the Causeless Cause, in its 
finite manifestation. (G 36.) 

Nay, if there were no other proof of there being a 
higher consciousness in nature and in man, it is shown 
beyond all doubt by the very facts upon which materi- 
alistic science chiefly relies — those of evolution. No 
building was ever yet constructed whose model or de- 
sign was not previously present in the consciousness 
of its architect, and no biological process ever took 
place which was not previously present in the mind 
of a Higher Intelligence. (G 41.) 

Materialism has looked at the universe so long 
through material lenses that it has become spiritually 
color blind. It also confounds the condition of think- 
ing with the cause of thought ; it mistakes the physical 
brain, which is the battery by means of which the 
operator beyond transmits thought messages to this 
physical plane, for the creator of that which it merely 
transmits. (G 43.) 

The brain, if likened to a musical instrument, re- 
sembles a violin in that, however good it be as a musi- 
cal instrument, and however carefully it has to be 
constructed in all its parts to become such an instru- 
ment, yet of itself it cannot give forth a musical note, 
much less take part in a complex symphony, without 
a musician to use it. (H 34.) 

Since it is the same "I" which perceives both in the 
waking state and in dreams, and since perception in 
the waking state can only proceed at a definite, 
measurable rate of speed, if we find in dreams this 
same "I" recording perceptions at a rate a million 
times greater than that which its physical organ, or 



Why Are We Here? 75 

brain, is capable of registering, it follows that it can- 
not be using this physical organ, and is therefore not 
limited to the latter for its manifestations of con- 
sciousness. This alone proves that we possess a con- 
sciousness independent of the body, and, therefore, a 
soul, beyond all cavil or dispute. (G 48.) 

Yet under the philosophic axiom that any law must 
necessarily be universal in its action to exist at all, 
this conscious energy which he exhibits 1 must fall un- 
der the same law of conservation which obtains on the 
material plane. And this conservation of mental en- 
ergy requires a mental vehicle, and one capable of 
passing from body to body upon the death of these; 
else the mental energy of one life is not conserved and 
carried over to the next, as its true conservation de- 
mands. * * * For either subjective energy, intellect, 
emotion, will, etc., are stored up in and transmitted 
under the law of force conservation by a Soul, or this 
law as well as that of evolution, is violated. (G- 50, 
51.) 

One sees at once how immense must be the waste of 
energy manifesting as intellect or intuition if the 
process of its evolution has to be begun anew with 
each new babe born on earth, to be again cut short by 
death when perhaps at its very highest evolutionary 
activity, unless that energy is carried forward from 
personality to personality by means of the repeated 
reincarnation of the soul. If then, the energies of the 
soul obey, as they must, the law of force conservation, 
reincarnation becomes an absolute necessity. (Gr 51.) 

In this Soul or Higher Ego is the true individuality, 
the real life, and consciousness. The personality is 
but the bundle of sense organs through which we 
gather experience and wisdom on the material plane, 



76 Why Are We Here? 

which is our present area of activity. The Higher 
Ego represents all that we have become since we as- 
sumed control of our own destinies. (G 54.) 

History and observation show that experi- 
ence is the best teacher and, in innumerable 
ways, the only one. Pity and sympathy are 
most keenly developed when both the be- 
stower and the recipient have had similar 
experiences. The same is true of all human 
emotions, and one person can truly under- 
stand another only when they have had the 
same or like experience. What is necessary 
for one soul is necessary for all, and all 
must have similar experiences and learn the 
same lessons. Thus there is equal and exact 
justice to all, and every soul must some time 
solve all the problems of life on the earth, 
through experience and unf oldment. 

Through these many embodiments and ex- 
periences the Soul gradually unfolds step by 
step, and learns little by little to overcome 
all earthly trials, and to achieve self -poise, 
self-control and mastership. This is the vic- 
tory which must be won by every soul, and 
every effort in the right direction is an im- 
pulse toward higher conditions in the next 
embodiment. 



They tell of the spirit's transmigration, 
Life after life while the ages run. 

Till dawns the day of its consummation, 
Till toil is over and heaven is won. 

The soul may rest, for the high ideal 
For which so long it has vainly yearned, 

Is won at last, and becomes the real, 
And all the lessons of life are learned. 

# # # * * # 

Then only they who in full completeness 
Have drained life's wine to its very lees, 

With all its bitterness, all its sweetness, 
Can joy completely in God's great peace. 

— Helen G. Hawthorne. 



CHAPTER VII. 

SUCCESSIVE EMBODIMENTS NOT METEMPSYCHOSIS; THE 
SPIRITUAL EXPLANATION THE ONLY TRUE SOLUTION OF 
LIFE; THREE GENERAL STAGES OF EMBODIMENTS, 
PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL AND SPIRITUAL; RETRO- 
GRESSION ONLY APPARENT; SUPERFICIAL OR 
FALSE HEIGHTS; THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE- 
GROUND ! THE FINAL VICTORY. 



THE philosophy of " Successive Em- 
bodiments" as presented here, and as 
taught by the School of Psychoso- 
phy, does not mean the same as Reincarna- 
tion, as taught in Theosophy. There are 
vital points of difference which may be de- 
termined by reading the literature referred 
to in this book. Neither does it mean Met- 
empsychosis, or the transmigration of hu- 
man souls to or from the bodies of animals. 
Earthly conditions being ready, the Soul 
becomes embodied for the first time in the 
body of a human being in its most primal 
and undeveloped state, and this is the begin- 
ning of the earthly experiences of the Hu- 
man Soul. The first embodiment is at the 
lowest possible expression of human life, 
and each successive embodiment is a step in 
advance of the preceding one. 



80 Why Are We Here? 

The first state of human life is the state into which 
the Soul descends, having taken upon itself the invo- 
lution toward expression. That is the beginning, so 
far as humanity is concerned; no human life so low 
upon the earth that that life does not represent the 
beginnings of all Souls in their expressions here, and 
none so high that they do not typify the attainment 
of all Souls ere expression is finished here. (E 33.) 

The first stage of existence, the infancy of the race, 
is partially revealed by Science, but the spiritual and 
primal solution of existence is unknown, and the ma- 
terial one is sought for. In the spiritual explanation 
is found the only true solution of life : that when the 
birth on earth begins, the expression of Souls must 
take the farthest point from the celestial state. Souls, 
in expression, do not begin by conquest over the earth ; 
that is attained. (E 34.) 

The Soul's embodiments on earth may be 
divided, in a general way, into three great 
stages of development and unf oldment ; the 
Physical, the Intellectual and the Spiritual. 
Each of these stages comprises many succes- 
sive embodiments. In the first or physical 
stage, there is the striving to overcome phys- 
ical conditions and in the earliest embodi- 
ments there is little intellectual or moral 
purpose apparent. In the later expressions 
of the physical stage there is great pride in 
physical accomplishments and power. 

The embodiments follow one after another in more 



Why Are We Here? 81 

rapid succession in the physical states of expression 
since there is little, or nothing, of the moral and spir- 
itual harvest to gather, so the successive embodiments 
in the first states come rapidly. The growth is slow, 
and the perceptible advancement in expression from 
one embodiment to another would scarcely be noticed 
until the final result. In this first stage of expression 
man seems inferior to the animal kingdom since he 
has no instinct to govern his appetites, and his mental 
and moral nature is still undeveloped in expression. 
This is because the only law of man's government is 
the mental and moral (spiritual), and because of this 
he has no blind instinct to guide him. (E 35, 36.) 

The degree of physical expression, merely, must be 
repellant to contemplate by itself, as it includes all 
states that precede intellectual activity, or mental at- 
tainment; constitutes the existence wherein the sen- 
suous life governs, wherein there may be enjoyment of 
the senses, wherein there may be some degree of per- 
ception, a certain manifestation of intelligence, but no 
approach to the intellectual or spiritual awakening, 
which must come when the race or the individual is 
dominated by the higher nature. (E 36.) 

In the second or Intellectual Stage of de- 
velopment the strivings are for mental or in- 
tellectual achievement, and this is chiefly ap- 
parent at the present time. It is the age of 
brains. The intellectual giant is the ideal of 
the day. The wonderful scientific discov- 
eries and inventions of the present age indi- 
cate the Soul's desire for mental attainment 
and power. 



82 Why Are We Here? 

As intellectual power is the next step, its conquests 
constitute the next victory; for the most part the 
average human life pauses there for a time, imagining 
this to be the real height. * * * There is no greater 
deformed monster in the universe than the intellectual 
giant devoid of moral strength, as there is no greater 
monstrosity than the physical giant devoid of intel- 
lectual and spiritual strength; but as one illustrates 
one step of progress, so the other illustrates another. 
But each step must be taken by each Soul. (E 39.) 

In the third or Spiritual Stage of the 
Soul's unfoldment, the higher nature comes 
into ascendancy. The Soul having achieved 
the heights of physical and intellectual at- 
tainments, discovers them to be false heights 
and merely stepping stones to the real vic- 
tories to be achieved. Here the spiritual and 
moral strength is unfolded, and the Soul 
learns to choose the higher, spiritual way in 
all things; to attain those lofty, spiritual 
heights which approach the sublime, and of 
which our Earth has, as yet, furnished com- 
paratively few conspicuous examples. 

Each Soul begins at the beginning of experience 
here, and passes through physical conquest and the 
physical disappointment, through intellectual conquest 
and the intellectual disappointment, and enters upon 
the spiritual conquest and all its difficulties to finally 
overcome them. (E 44.) 

If you are journeying up a mountain and have com- 



Why Are We Here? 83 

menced your journey sooner than another, you will 
be at a higher altitude than the one who commenced 
afterward, but as he follows along he will find the 
same steep and stony places, the same briers and 
thorns, the same difficulties to encounter; for human 
nature is so constituted that only what one experiences 
does one really know. (E 44.) 

In the teachings of Psychosophy, the 
words " re-embodiment" and " re-incarna- 
tion" are never used, since the prefix "re" 
implies a going back, a returning to similar 
conditions again, whereas " successive em- 
embodiments" are a progressive series of 
earthly lives, each a step in advance of the 
previous one. There are embodiments which 
would seem to be a retrogression but the 
retrogression is only apparent, not real. 
These are cases where the Soul needs the les- 
sons of degradation, and they are added to 
its store of experience and knowledge of hu- 
man life. These embodiments are like a de- 
scent into valleys in order to reach the 
heights beyond. 

For the most part the ascent through matter, after 
taking the first steps in the infancy of life, is like a 
spiral pathway, but there are deviations which are the 
reactions from heights that are not real, as the super- 
ficial height of the body (physical vanity) or the 
superficial height of the intellect (intellectual vanity). 



84 Why Are We Here? 

So that which seems to be a descent is not so in reality, 
neither is it so in the mental or moral kingdoms, for, 
as said before, the giant of the intellect, or he who has 
no goodness or moral strength is a monstrosity, and 
the reaction from that leads to the simplest mind, but 
a mind of sweetness and goodness. * * * So that 
these simple minds, as they are termed, who must 
have descended from the height of superficial intel- 
lectuality to the humility, perhaps, of knowing noth- 
ing, to learn the lessons of sweetness and goodness, 
are really on the way to be giants of strength in spirit 
(E 45.) 

The three general stages of unf oldment of 
the Soul (Physical, Intellectual and Spir- 
itual) are not clearly distinct and separate. 
There is an overlapping and interblending of 
conditions at all times, but in the earlier em- 
bodiments the physical is paramount, with 
mentality secondary, and faint glimmer- 
ings of spirituality. In the second or Intel- 
lectual stage the Mentality is cultivated as 
the ideal achievement, with physical attain- 
ments still held in high esteem, but religious 
and spiritual affairs considered of some im- 
portance. In this stage the struggle to live 
according to spiritual ideals is a most diffi- 
cult one. In the Spiritual stage, however, 
the value of the spiritual and moral virtues 
is placed above all things, with intellectual- 



Why Are We Here? 85 

ity a secondary consideration, and, like 
physical development, only a means to an 
end, and that end the true spiritual unf old- 
ment of the Soul, the complete victory over 
self. 

The strength of spirit is attained through struggles 
that may encompass all conditions of life. Not gi- 
gantic to the extent of overweening physical strength, 
but, for the purpose of usefulness, as much strength 
as is needed; not gigantic to the extent of worship- 
ing the intellect at the expense of the heart, but to 
succeed in all and to fail in all, until one can forward 
the work of the spirit, until it has conquered all states, 
not only sin but the greatest of all sins, self -righteous- 
ness, and stands in sublime and exalted humility as 
the typical illustration of conquest over the earth. 
All states between that and the lowest condition which 
you can picture are states of human experience that 
every Soul must pass through. Meanwhile there in- 
filtrates into these experiences a religious or spiritual 
element, a suggestion that that which the body, or the 
mind only, accomplishes, is no accomplishment at all. 
(E 45, 46.) 

No one at the end of all these different experiences 
can say that any line of expression or experience has 
been denied. All must know what it is to be slaves, 
as all have a natural tendency to be tyrants ; all must 
know by the knowledge of possession what are the re- 
sponsibilities, trials and temptations, as well as the 
redeeming and excusing features in each expression. 
* * * In fact, whatever men covet they will have 
an opportunity of trying. Whatever they do not care 



86 Why Are We Here? 

for in worldly possessions, they have experienced and 
outgrown. (E 48.) 

When we consider the moral world, as the intel- 
lectual is very much more complicated than the physi- 
cal struggle, how much more intricate become the 
moral problems! The moment the spirit begins to 
assert itself the battle begins. It is not a battle be- 
tween the intellectual nature and material life, when 
the intellect becomes unqualifiedly the victor, but here 
is the battle of ages; between the voice that finally 
works its way through from the Soul into outward 
expression, and man's unconquered, selfish nature; 
here is the conflict and the battle ground; here it is 
that the Titans wage war ; here it is that all final vic- 
tories are won. The other struggles, for physical or 
intellectual supremacy, are merely different states of 
selfishness, but the first time man knows that he must 
forfeit self, or that there is a stage wherein he must 
vanquish selfish desires, the battle begins ; that is the 
moral starting point. (E 48.) 

The intellectual nature, and even the physical life, 
asserts man 's supremacy ; but what he can win by con- 
quering self he learns for the first time in his moral 
nature, he has it in the voice of the Soul, which tells 
him he has no right to any possession merely because 
he can win it * * * that he has no moral right, 
even though he has the physical power, to win supre- 
macy and hold it; and the real law of life is, when 
possessing strength not to use it against others, but 
for others. (E 49.) 

The conquest is to win a victory over self, not over 
another ; and that which is denominated virtue in one 
state of growth, becomes impossible in another. A 
primal virtue in the ages of physical supremacy is 



Why Are We Here? 87 

conquest, slaughter for individual or national empire. 
Second only to this in lack of moral or spiritual per- 
ception, is the sacrifice of life in what is commonly 
called " self-defense. ' ' One cannot slay, one cannot 
do violence to another, one cannot betray in any man- 
ner, one cannot degenerate to any vice, one cannot 
censure, if one has outgrown or overcome the state in- 
dicated. Neither angel nor demon can tempt the man 
who is above temptation. (E 49.) 



Soid, struggle on! Within the darkest night 
Still broods the majesty of deathless Bight. 

If to its promptings clear thou still art true, 
The larger, sweeter lights will flash to view. 

— S. P. Putnam. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

INDIVIDUAL EFFORT NECESSARY ; SOULS BORN INTO RIGHT 
CONDITIONS; CONSCIOUS CHOICE OF ENVIRONMENT; 
SPIRIT STATES A FRUITION; AMPLE TIME TO 
FULFILL ALL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS BE- 
FORE NEXT EMBODIMENT; CONCERN- 
ING MEMORY OF EMBODIMENTS; 
CULMINATIONS. 



WHILE the course traced by succes- 
sive embodiments is in a constantly 
ascending progression, it must not 
be understood that no effort is required 
from the individual, or that he may pas- 
sively await his unfoldment and spiritual 
growth. It is a fundamental decree of na- 
ture that every unit in physical life must 
put forth individual effort, in order to grow 
and develop its individuality. The vine, the 
plant, the tree must exert itself in the exer- 
cise of the functions of its nature, in order 
to live and grow. Every animal is com- 
pelled by the law of its being to make indi- 
vidual efforts, in its struggle for existence. 
This inherent law compelling individual 
effort is a phase of the all-pervading " de- 
sire for expression," the great spiritual 



92 Why Are We Here? 

force underlying, energizing and directing 
all physical evolutionary forces. In man's 
earlier embodiments he is compelled to assist 
unconsciously in his own evolution and un- 
f oldment, but later, as he becomes aware of 
his spiritual nature and the value of con- 
scious personal effort, he may consciously 
accelerate his progress and greatly hasten 
the process of the Soul's unf oldment. 

For many embodiments the Soul is irre- 
sistibly, and without conscious choice, born 
into the proper environment for its particu- 
lar stage of development, by the operation 
of physical laws of heredity and evolution, 
together with spiritual laws of causation, 
and the desire for expression, all combining 
to form the right balance of power, produc- 
ing the correct natural conditions for the 
Soul's embodiment. 

When the Soul has attained a sufficient 
degree of unfoldment, it exercises a con- 
scious choice, within the limitations of the 
laws governing its needs, and selects to some 
extent the conditions for its next embodi- 
ment. Sometimes there is important work 
unfinished in one embodiment, and the Soul 
seeks the environment where that work may 



Why Are We Here? 93 

best be completed. Often an advanced Soul 
seeks embodiment under peculiar condi- 
tions, for the express purpose of fulfilling 
some great mission to mankind, or perhaps 
to convey and exemplify valuable lessons to 
certain individuals. Sometimes when a babe 
is born and its little life is but for days or 
hours, that Soul has been embodied not so 
much for its own expression, as for some- 
thing to be wrought in the lives and hearts 
of its parents. 

Every human embodiment is followed by 
a period of life in the spirit state. This 
spirit state is for the purpose of impressing 
upon and revealing to the Soul the meaning 
of the earthly embodiment just ended. It is 
the fruition or harvest of that embodiment 
and completes and rounds out that expres- 
sion of the Soul. In this spirit state all the 
lessons taught by the experiences of the 
earth life just closed, are made clear. Not 
in an instant, not in many years, but by de- 
grees does the Soul come to understand and 
assimilate the meaning of those experiences. 
The more advanced is the Soul, the sooner 
does it, by conscious effort, grasp the essen- 
tial signification and purpose of the various 



94 Why Are We Here? 

joys and sorrows, the pleasures and pains of 
that previous embodiment and make them a 
part of its eternal possessions. 

In the most primitive earthly states, or those near- 
est to matter, the spiritual expressions that follow eaeh 
embodiment are very feeble, and, therefore, the spir- 
itual existences are of short duration, and are not con- 
nected with any conscious moral or spiritual activities ; 
but in later embodiments, when the mind and spirit 
begin to be active in expression, the spiritual states 
which follow the earthly embodiments are, necessarily, 
more complete and full as the fruition of each embodi- 
ment. (E 65.) 

As there is approach toward the final culmination 
in embodiments on earth the spiritual harvest is riper 
before entering spirit life, so the interval of time be- 
tween embodiments is much lessened, for as the em- 
bodiments approach a final culmination there is more 
rapid tendency to expression. (E 69.) 

Between each embodiment and the succeeding one 
is such period of time * * * as is required for the 
spiritual expression or fruition of the preceding one. 
There is no haste, there is no delay; no imperfect or 
broken links in the entire chain. (E 65.) 

No added embodiment is necessary until all obliga- 
tions and duties belonging to the late embodiment are 
expressed and perfected. (E 68.) 

The spirit of each embodiment is expressed as long 
in mortal and spiritual life as there is any call or de- 
mand for it. We mean by this: any duties that are 
unfinished, any ties that are formed and require to be 
maintained, any outward, or material, belongings in 
which the spirit is concerned must he preserved. (E 66.) 



Why Are We Here? 95 

The mother, whose child is left upon the earth, does 
not change her natural or spiritual relationship; she 
fills her function toward that child. When there is an 
added expression upon the earth, in another embodi- 
ment, it is after all possible duties have been filled 
toward the child; and that relation of mother and 
child, if it be real, is included as a portion of the 
Soul's treasures. (E 66.) 

When the harvest of the preceding em- 
bodiment has been gathered, when the les- 
sons to be learned from the experiences of 
that last life have been assimilated, then 
comes the Soul's desire for further expres- 
sion and added experience. Then there is a 
shadowing, an involution and when duly 
prepared, the Soul seeks and finds another 
embodiment under conditions exactly suited 
to its needs. 

The Soul never forgets ; the Soul always 
remembers, but under most wise and benefi- 
cent laws there is ordinarily no recollection 
in one embodiment of experiences in previ- 
ous embodiments. There are exceptions to 
this rule, and there are many well authenti- 
cated instances of persons having more or 
less distinct reminiscences of former lives. 
The farther advanced the Soul becomes, the 
clearer are these recollections. 



96 Why Are We Here? 

The Soul having completed all its earthly 
expressions, retains as its permanent posses- 
sions all the essential knowledge gained 
through those experiences, just as the 
skilled musician or mathematician possesses 
the perfect mastery of his profession, with- 
out thought or remembrance of the innu- 
merable details which attended his educa- 
tion. 

That man's conscious experiences upon earth are so 
largely recorded upon the physical plane * * * is 
a most beneficent provision of nature. So full of mis- 
takes, errors, sins and crimes is the past of, perhaps, 
every one of us, that the actual memory of it all car- 
ried forward in detail to each new life would over- 
whelm the soul with despair at the very outset. Nor 
is it essential to the conviction of our having lived be- 
fore that we should remember each incident in our 
past lives, or even that we have lived before at all. 
Who remembers the first two or three years of his in- 
fancy? The fact that we were the same individual 
during this period of forgotten existence that we are 
now, none of us doubts, yet we would be sorely put 
about it if we were required to furnish proof of this 
from memory. (G 213.) 

This is the surest memory — the knowledge that the 
crystallized results of what we have experienced are 
fully and completely expressed in what we are now. 
Are we prone to anger, and find it difficult to control 
fits of passion ? Here is the memory of many a deed 
of violence done under the dominance of our lower 



Why Are We Here? 97 

nature long ago. Do we turn with horror away from 
injustice or extortion? Be assured we are remember- 
ing the time when we ourselves were the sufferers 
from similar unjust acts. * * * We are the creation 
of our past; and the nature we have evolved is its 
memory- If we have gathered wisdom from the ex- 
perience of our lives, it is enough; in just what the 
experience consisted is of little moment. (G 214.) 

Occasionally the world is startled by the 
appearance of great geniuses, who flash like 
meteors across the sky of human experience, 
and amaze mankind by their marvelous 
achievements in their particular sphere of 
action. It is an astounding wonder to all 
the world how such geniuses have accom- 
plished so much in a single life. Success- 
ive embodiments furnish a simple and ade- 
quate explanation. Such a life is a culmina- 
tion of a long series of embodiments and ex- 
perience along a definite line. 

A distinct result, or perfection in any given line of 
expression is a culmination. Each culmination is the 
termination of a line of successive embodiments to- 
ward a certain point of perfect expression in one di- 
rection ; and while there may be latent suggestions of 
other lines in the same series of embodiments, there is 
always a dominant purpose, in each embodiment of 
that series, in the direction of the culmination. (E 
36.) 

The spirit of each embodiment is the breath, or 



98 Why Are We Here? 

impetus, from the Soul toward a culmination. A cul- 
mination is the highest point that can possibly be at- 
tained in a given line. In past ages all humanity was 
being expressed on the physical plane, and there are 
still those attaining perfection and conquest in that 
direction. * * * Those who have outgrown the 
prize ring and the desire for physical contest, may 
safely conclude "that in a past condition they have ex- 
pressed themselves to the fullest extent in that direc- 
tion. (E 37, 38.) 

Today the whole world may be said to be tending 
toward a culmination of intellectual strength; while 
in the past there have been individuals and nations 
who have illustrated this culmination, the whole world 
now, as an average, worships at this shrine of intel- 
lect. (E 39, 40.) 

In all ages geniuses are the culminations of a given 
line. We would name Mozart as a genius because, 
untaught, in childhood he knew the principles of har- 
mony * * * he knew because he had had experience 
in previous lives ; he had taken all the steps until that 
life was the culmination. (E 41.) 

All steps toward genius are steps of aspiration. 
The man who wishes to play, the one who wishes to 
sing, certainly shall play and sing because it is some- 
thing yet to be attained. * * * If the art or gift 
is something that has been attained ; if one has been a 
musical genius, that is evident from this fact: that 
one is not seeking for it, and yet is familiar with mu- 
sic. * * * He has no desire to do it, because he can 
do it, because it is a part of his past experiences. (E 
41.) 

Genius is the culmination of many steps toward 



Why Are We Here? 99 

perfection in one direction. Then wherever there is 
genius distinctly manifested, it is the final expression 
of the individual Soul in that one direction. Each 
may know by the geniuses of the world what the 
culmination of all will be, or have been, for each Soul 
must express itself as perfectly as any other in those 
directions. (E 42.) 



We cannot follow our own wayward wills, 

And feed our baser appetites, and give 

Loose rein to foolish tempers year on year 

And then cry "Lord forgive me, I believe," 

And straightway bathe in glory. Man must learn 

God's system is too grand a thing for that, 

yfc tf$ ^ !Jp 5jp :*; 

Each conquered passion feeds the living flame; 
Each well-borne sorrow is a step towards God; 
Faith cannot rescue, and no blood redeem 
The Soul that will not reason and resolve. 

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 



CHAPTER IX. 

SPIRIT LIFE ONE OF ACTIVITY; MINISTRATION AND HELP- 
FULNESS; SPIRITS OF OUR OWN PLANE ATTRACTED; 
SPIRITS OF LOW DEGREE SPIRITUALLY WEAK; 
GOOD WORK DONE BY SPIRITUALISM ; ME- 
DIUMSHIP GOOD AND BAD. 



HE life of the Spirit during the in- 
terim between embodiments is a life 



T 

mMm of activity as well as of fulfilment 
and fruition. The spirit finds himself to be 
the same individual after death as before, 
with the same tastes, temperament, likes 
and dislikes, disposition and desires. There 
is opened a clearer vision and a different 
viewpoint, and one finds a host of spirit 
friends eager to give helpful advice and 
service. Whether this helpfulness is ac- 
cepted and made available by the newly ar- 
rived spirit, depends upon his stage of un- 
f oldment and desire for light and progress. 

As Souls in earthly embodiments are in all 
possible stages of unfoldment, from the 
most degraded condition to those highly ad- 
vanced, so the arrivals in spirit states are of 
the same innumerable variety. But no emi- 
grant to that land is so degraded or so un- 



104 Why Are We Here? 

fortunate that lie is not greeted, and con- 
tinually attended, by spirit friends whose 
mission is to open his eyes to the truths of 
spiritual life and to encourage him to per- 
sonal efforts toward his enlightenment and 
spiritual progress. In many instances is 
this a thankless and wearisome task, but all 
in good time, the divine germ is awakened 
and voluntarily turns to the light. With 
what joy do the spirit friends and teachers 
then attend that weary pilgrim, until he has 
learned the lessons to be gleaned from his 
past earthly experience, and he, too, learns 
the value, the happiness and the necessity of 
helping others as he has been helped. 

The spirit world is indeed a world of ac- 
tivity and work ; of ministration and loving 
helpfulness to those left on earth as well as 
those in spirit life. The spirit mother may 
watch over her babe in earth life, the de- 
parted wife counsel and influence her dis- 
consolate help-mate. All spirits who have 
advanced sufficiently, and are bound by ties 
of love and friendship, may and do exercise 
their spiritual powers in various ways to as- 
sist, to encourage and to comfort their 
earthly friends. 



Why Are We Here? 105 

Hosts of spirits are with us and about us 
at all times, ready at every opportunity to 
influence us to better thoughts and better 
deeds. We are generally unconscious of 
those spirit impressions and influences, be- 
cause we are so immersed in the activities of 
earthly life and sensuous pleasures that we 
carelessly or ignorantly close the avenues by 
which those messages may come, or by our 
grossness deaden the impressions we may 
receive. 

We coarsen and benumb our nerves of 
sensation and weaken our powers of percep- 
tion by the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and 
immoderate use of food, so that we are less 
receptive and the spirit influences find it dif- 
ficult, and often impossible, to make an im- 
pression upon us, and even if the impression 
is made we remain unconscious of its source. 
By right living, right thinking and right 
doing we may bring ourselves into direct, 
conscious contact with our spirit friends. 

We attract to ourselves our own class of 
spirits, or those who are in a similar stage of 
unf oldment to ourselves. If we are weak in 
spirituality and are devoted to the gratifica- 
tion of our material senses ; if we are selfish, 



106 Why Are We Here? 

cruel, intolerant and unforgiving, we sur- 
round ourselves with spirits of the same 
class. We thereby, not only render it more 
difficult for our higher spirit friends to 
reach us, and thus hamper our own spiritual 
unf oldment, but we retard the unf oldment 
and progress of those spirits of our own 
class whom we have attracted to us. 

This does not mean that these unprogres- 
sive spirits are a distinct and active power 
for evil, but that they are a negative force, 
an obstacle to spiritual advancement. No 
earnest, sincere, truth-seeking investigator 
need have any fear of "evil spirits," for by 
his sincerity and right motives he surrounds 
himself with spirit protection that is a posi- 
tive shield against influences that are lower 
than himself. It is only by wilful or ig- 
norant disregard of this fact, or by permit- 
ting himself to become passive and pliant, 
subjecting his own will to the will of others, 
that he can place himself where spirit influ- 
ences can injure him. 

The one who has made no conquest of temptation 
while in the earthly state, where temptation really ex- 
ists, cannot win that victory in the spiritual state. So 
one who passes into the spiritual state of existence, 
passes only to the completion of the solution of the 



Why Are We Here? 107 

problems already commenced, not to a moral renova- 
tion ; nor is that lack of moral victory a state of active 
or aggressive evil in the spirit existence; it is an ag- 
gregation of weakness. Those shadowy states, fre- 
quently referred to in spirit messages, strongly pic- 
tured and typified, are not states of positive, active, 
aggressive evil, but are states of negation. That which 
in earth life is positive, because fed by material and 
organic conditions, is spiritual imbecility. To be a 
murderer on earth is in spirit life to be a weakling. 
Those spirits having no knowledge of goodness have 
no spiritual power. All who have aims, aspirations 
and exalted reflections in earthly life, pass on to spir- 
itual states commensurate with them. (E 68.) 

Modern Spiritualism, in spite of its faults 
and weaknesses, has been a tremendous 
power for good in the world during the last 
half century. It has been the means of dem- 
onstrating the fact of continued existence 
after death, and the possibility of communi- 
cation between the two states of existence. 
It has overthrown orthodox opposition, con- 
vinced scientific skepticism, and firmly es- 
tablished the two great facts of spirit life 
and spirit return, in the minds of a vast ma- 
jority of civilized and cultured peoples. 

That probably four-fifths of those who are 
convinced of these two great truths make no 
public admission of their beliefs, is due to 



108 Why Are We Here? 

the great discredit which has been brought 
upon Spiritualism by the frauds, fakers, im- 
postors and swindlers who have attached 
themselves to the movement. The very na- 
ture of Spiritualistic demonstrations ren- 
ders it peculiarly susceptible and open to 
use, abuse and imitation by ignorant or mer- 
cenary impostors. 

There is a deeper reason, however, for the 
obloquy which rests upon Spiritualism, and 
this is rooted in the fact that Spiritualists 
themselves, as a rule, have not studied and 
do not understand the principles and phil- 
osophy governing their one great funda- 
mental, demonstrating fact — mediumship. 

There is a mediumship that is a high and 
holy service to human kind, and a sacrament 
for distressed and sorrowing souls; an in- 
spiration and a pillar of light to those grop- 
ing in spiritual shadow. This mediumship 
is of untold value to humanity. Great souls 
and advanced teachers in spirit life have 
thus given, and are still giving to the world, 
spiritual truths and teachings of incalcula- 
ble value to embodied souls in their search 
for enlightenment and unf oldment. 

Mediumship of this class is individually 



Why Are We Here? 109 

independent. The medium does not surren- 
der his individual will to the control of the 
spirit, but receives the message and passes 
it on as an operator transmits his tele- 
graphic message. Very advanced souls have 
sought embodiment for the express purpose 
of being instruments for conveying great 
truths to mankind. Under proper condi- 
tions, a medium may step aside and lend the 
use of his physical organs to the communi- 
cating spirit without surrendering his will 
or personality to spirit control. This phase 
is commendable and safe, but it is not com- 
mon nor is it readily attained. 

The most common phase of mediumship, 
however, so common that many writers, in- 
vestigators and students consider it the only 
phase, is that of " control"; where the me- 
dium becomes passive and surrenders him- 
self completely and absolutely to domina- 
tion and control by the will of the spirit. 
When this submission is to the will of an- 
other in the body it is known as hypnotism. 
This class of mediumship is simply hypno- 
tism by a disembodied spirit, and is repre- 
hensible, degrading and dangerous, being 
contrary to the higher spiritual laws as well 



110 Why Are We Here? 

as to the physical laws governing our ma- 
terial well-being. It has been most aptly 
and emphatically described as a " Great 
Psychological Crime." 



There is no Chance, no Destiny, no Fate 

Can circumvent or hinder or control 

The firm resolve of a determined soul. 

Gifts count for little; Will alone is great, 

All things give way before it soon or late. 

What obstacles can stay the mighty force 

Of the sea-seeking river in its course, 

Or cause the ascending orb of day to wait? 

Each well-born soul must win what it deserves. 

Let the fool prate of luck — the fortunate 

Is he whose earnest purpose never swerves, 

Whose slightest action or inaction serves 

The one great aim. Why, even Death stands still 

And waits an hour sometimes for such a will. 

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME ; SUBJECTIVE MEDIUM- 
SHIP DANGEROUS AND DEGRADING; SIGNS OF A SUB- 
JECTIVE MEDIUM ; A HIGHER METHOD OF INDI- 
VIDUAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CONTACT WITH 
THE SPIRITUAL WORLD ; CONSTRUCTIVE 
INSTEAD OF DESTRUCTIVE. 



THE author of "The Great Psycho- 
logical Crime " presents a deserved 
and scathing arraignment of subjec- 
tive mediumship and its destructive results, 
but asserts that all forms of mediumship are 
subjective; that the will of the medium is 
controlled by the will of the spirit in all 
cases. The higher phases of mediumship 
mentioned in the preceding chapter, where 
the medium retains his independent will and 
individuality, "T. K." admits as indepen- 
dent communication with the spirit world 
but refuses to class it under the head of me- 
diumship at all. This explanation is neces- 
sary, that the reader may understand that 
the word "mediumship" in the following 
quotations means "subjective mediumship" 
as previously denned. 



114 Why Are We Here? 

Mediumship is therefore hypnotism. But it is hyp- 
notism with something added. It is also mesmerism. 
But it is mesmerism with something added. It is 
hypnotism plus mesmerism plus something else. The 
something else is found by science to be the action of 
independent, spiritual intelligences operating from the 
spiritual plane of activity. (I 169.) 

It must not be forgotten that mediumship, like hyp- 
notism, is a subjective, psychic process. Its primary, 
motive power is the soul or intelligence of the dom- 
inating control. Those intelligent acts of the physical 
organism of an individual which are the results of the 
mediumistic process, are but reflex activities resulting 
from the action of one mind or intelligence upon an- 
other. * * * In other words, the spiritual intelli- 
gence which controls the hand of a medium does so 
only by controlling the motive power by which the 
medium himself controls it when acting indepen- 
dently, namely, the will. (I 183.) 

The passive condition of the mind in mediumship 
and the consequent inactivity of the physical brain, 
through which the mind operates, soon result in 
atrophy of the brain tissues, degeneracy of the mental 
powers and suspension of the mental functions. (I 
218.) 

Every student of mediumistic phenomena who will 
put himself in position to observe the results of the 
subjective process upon the mind of the medium will 
be able to note some, and oftentimes all, of the fol- 
lowing significant peculiarities and symptoms : 

1. One of the invariable signs of a subjective, 
mental state on the part of a medium is a far-away, 
hazy, abstract, introspective or glassy stare of the 
eyes. 



Why Are We Here? 115 

2. A gradual and progressive loss of memory of 
things present. 

3. A growing inability to hold the mind intently, 
for any length of time, upon any subject which de- 
mands thoughtful study. 

4. A growing inability to think consecutively or 
logically upon any subject which calls for analytical 
thought. 

5. A growing inability to give undivided attention 
to an ordinary conversation. 

6. An increasing tendency to lapse into a state of 
mental abstraction and introspection. 

7. A gradual and progressive loss of will power 
and energy to perform hard mental labor of any kind. 

8. A growing suspicion concerning the motives and 
intentions of those with whom he comes in contact. 

9. An increasing sensitiveness to unimportant 
things. 

10. A growing irritability of temperament. 

11. Increasing nervousness. 

12. A growing childishness and vanity concerning 
little things. 

13. Increasing egotism and selfishness in almost 
everything that concerns the individual. 

14. And finally, a gradual decrease of the purely 
intellectual activities of the mind, accompanied by a 
corresponding increase of emotionalism and of the 
physical appetites, passions and desires. (I 219, 220.) 

Inasmuch as mediumship slowly but surely de- 
stroys the power of self-control, its inevitable ten- 
dency is toward animalism. The law is inexorable. 

(I 229.) 



116 Why Are We Here? 

From whatever point these facts may be viewed 
their meaning is perfectly plain. * * * They clearly 
and unmistakably identify the principle back of the 
mediumistic process as The Destructive Principle of 
Nature in Individual Life. (I 231.) 

These quotations serve to show the dan- 
gers attending subjective mediumship, but 
space forbids the scientific explanations and 
arguments which are fully set forth in the 
book. Of the higher or independent medi- 
umship (which he does not term medium- 
ship) the author has this to say in part : 

There is, in fact, a method of development which, 
when once accomplished, enables the individual to 
come into as conscious relation to his spiritual en- 
vironment as he is to his physical environment. He 
sees clairvoyantly whenever he desires to do so, and 
when he opens his spiritual eyes he sees whatever 
there is to be seen upon the spiritual planes within 
the range of his vision. He hears clairaudiently 
whenever he wills to do so, and when he thus exercises 
his spiritual sense of hearing, he hears whatever there 
is to be heard upon the spiritual planes within the 
range of his hearing. He is able to communicate with 
those upon the spiritual side of life as freely and as 
voluntarily as he does with those upon the physical 
plane. (I 203.) 

Spiritual intelligences have no control over him 
whatever, nor any of his faculties, capacities or volun- 
tary powers. He is absolutely independent in the ex- 
ercise of his sensory organism. In other words he is 



Why Are We Here? 117 

an independent psychic in every sense of the term. 
He is in every sense a natural " development ' ' and at 
every progressive step along the way he acquires defi- 
nite and specific " powers.'' 

He occupies the position of a Master, while the me- 
dium occupies that of the subject or slave. The one 
is independent, the other dependent. The one pos- 
sesses specific and definite "powers," the other is 
robbed of the powers with which Nature originally 
invested him. The one is an active, intelligent factor, 
the other a passive instrument. The one is a responsi- 
ble, individual intelligence, the other an irresponsible 
automaton to the extent he becomes a subject of medi- 
umistic processes. (I 204.) 

These excerpts should be sufficient to indi- 
cate the interesting character of this valu- 
able book and to encourage its careful peru- 
sal and study. What the author says of him- 
self and constructive development will form 
a fitting close for this chapter. 

In order that his position shall not be misunder- 
stood nor his motives misinterpreted, the writer de- 
sires to state at this time, in the most explicit terms 
possible : 

That he is not a medium. 

That he never has been a medium. 

That he has never been hypnotized. 

That he has never been mesmerized. 

That he has never been a subject of psychic con- 
trol in any form, degree, or manner whatsoever. 



118 Why Are We Here? 

That notwithstanding these facts he has developed 
the ability to exercise his spiritual sensory organism 
independently, self-consciously and voluntarily, at 
any time. 

That the method by which this power has been ac- 
quired, and the process involved in its exercise, are 
as different from those of mediumship, mesmerism 
and hypnotism as the principle of affirmation is differ- 
ent from that of negation, or as construction is dif- 
ferent from destruction. 

That under competent instruction any man of equal 
intelligence, courage and perseverance, and a right 
motive, may accomplish the same results, provided he 
have the time, opportunity and facilities for carrying 
on the work. (I 176, 177.) 

This process involves the acquisition of exact knowl- 
edge, the accomplishment of a specific work, and the 
living of a definite life. It is an independent, self- 
conscious and rational process. It is a wide-awake, a 
normal and an intelligent process. It is a process 
under which the individual at all times and under all 
conditions must maintain a normal and healthful con- 
trol of all his intelligent faculties, capacities and 
powers. It is a process which enables the individual 
to see for himself, hear for himself and sense for him- 
self, the spiritual data, and obtain for himself definite 
knowledge of another life. It is a process which de- 
mands self-control instead of self-surrender, and in- 
dependence of volition instead of subjection to the 
will of others. In other words, it is in every respect a 
Constructive process. It develops a Master instead of 
a Medium. (1365.) 



Over and over the task was set; 

Over and over I slighted the work; 
But ever and alway I know that yet 

I must face and finish the thing I shirk. 

Over and over the whip of pain 

Has spurred and punished with blow on blow, 
As ever and alway I tried in vain 

To shun the labor I hated so. 

Over and over I came this way 

For just one purpose, oh, stubborn soul — 
Turn with a will to your toil today, 

And learn the lesson of Self -Control. 

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 



CHAPTER XI. 

WHY SHOULD WE BE GOOD? THE CONSTRUCTIVE PRIN- 
CIPLE IN NATURE; MUST LIVE IN HARMONY WITH 
THIS PRINCIPLE; THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF ETHICS; 
MORALITY THE FOUNDATION OF SPIRITUAL UN- 
FOLDMENT; DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL 
WILL AND SELF-CONTROL; LIVING THE LIFE 
IN CONFORMITY WITH THE CONSTRUCTIVE 
PRINCIPLE. 



WHY should I be good?" " What is 
right ? " " Is there a rational, scien- 
tific basis for moral living?" "Is 
there any principle in the very nature of 
things that establishes a fixed line of moral 
conduct, that determines what is right and 
what is wrong?" "If so, what is it, why 
should I conform my life in accordance with 
it, and what will be the result if I do not?" 
These are queries that have arisen in the 
minds of all thinking persons and many 
others as well. Many are satisfied with the 
simple doctrine (but in many complex 
forms) that in the future life we will be re- 
warded for our good deeds and punished for 
the bad ones ; while others, appreciating the 
marvelous perfection of physical laws and 



122 Why Are We Here? 

recognizing an all-pervading spiritual force 
in the universe, feel the conviction that 
there is, and logically must be, such a prin- 
ciple or law in Nature determining in gen- 
eral what acts are necessarily and inevitably 
right, and furnishing an unerring and com- 
prehensible basis for morality. 

There is such a principle inherent in the 
very heart of things, as universal and in- 
flexible in its operation as the law of gravi- 
tation itself. It has been given the name of 
"The Constructive Principle in Nature,' ' by 
the author of that remarkable book, "The 
Great Work." 

All physical laws in final analysis may be 
reduced to two general principles, Attrac- 
tion and Repulsion. Both are equally neces- 
sary in the great scheme of things. Reaction 
is as much a necessary force as action. Neg- 
ative force as important as positive. Under 
the law of attraction all material forms are 
built. Under repulsion those forms are dis- 
integrated into their elements, and through 
attraction, new and higher forms come into 
existence. Attraction is constructive, Re- 
pulsion is destructive. The boulder is dis- 
integrated and becomes earth and germin- 



Why Are We Here? 123 

ates the seed which develops the higher, veg- 
etable life. The plant in turn decays and 
returns again in other forms, or is eaten by 
the animal, disintegrated, digested, and its 
atoms builded into the higher, animal form. 
The stately forest under Nature's destruc- 
tive forces becomes a bed of coal and eventu- 
ally ministers to the sustenance and comfort 
of man. The destruction of one form and 
the construction of other and higher forms 
are continually and universally in opera- 
tion. Both processes are, in the broad sense, 
equally necessary in the divine plan. 

If the farmer conforms to Nature's con- 
structive laws, his crop is abundant. If we 
conform to those constructive principles in 
our physical life, we will be healthy and vig- 
orous. These are physical and superficial 
illustrations but the spiritual analogy is per- 
fect. Love is constructive, hate is destruc- 
tive. Altruism is constructive, Selfishness 
destructive. Kindness is constructive, Cru- 
elty destructive. Tolerance is constructive, 
Intolerance destructive. As we note that 
the course of physical evolution is upward 
toward higher forms, we recognize the great 
constructive principle at work. It is the 



124 Why Are We Here? 

great cosmic building force, and is the one 
great spiritual principle impelling us to 
build our lives and unfold our souls by con- 
forming our thoughts and deeds in harmony 
with it. 

We may falter and fail a million times. 
We may struggle again and again to plant 
ourselves firmly upon the right path and as 
many times fall back into indifference or de- 
spair. But every effort lifts us a little 
nearer and the time will come, the time must 
come, when we shall be able to live our lives 
in harmony with this great constructive 
principle, physically, mentally and morally. 
The law is inexorable; it cannot be trans- 
gressed with impunity or immunity, nor can 
it be evaded at all. Sooner or later we must 
make the struggle, sooner or later we must 
recognize that there is no escape, and that 
the sooner we begin the sooner will we attain 
the joy and happiness that results from 
overcoming. 

We are here for unfolding our souls 
through experience, and every soul must 
"work out its own salvation." There is no 
other way. There is no short cut to the goal. 
It may be postponed and progress may be 



Why Are We Here? 125 

retarded, but time is long and eternity is 
sufficient to bring every soul out of the 
depths into its divine inheritance. The mo- 
ment the soul recognizes these truths and 
strives to act in accordance therewith, that 
moment is its progress accelerated and spir- 
itual power gained for further advance- 
ment; but there must be the individual ef- 
fort, and the will to do must be strengthened 
and established. 

Progress is the one great fact of our be- 
ing and Nature's Constructive Principle is 
the concrete, scientific evidence of the moral 
law at the foundation of progress. 

The process which gives objective expression of this 
law or principle of Nature is everywhere manifest to 
the trained scientist in the world of physical matter. 
For instance : it manifests itself to the objective senses 
in the integration and crystallization of stone. It is 
evidenced by that subtile force which integrates and 
binds together in solid mass the particles of iron, steel, 
copper, brass, silver, gold and other metals. It is ob- 
served in the condensation of vapors into liquids and 
of liquids into solids. It is demonstrated by that sub- 
tile affinity between the atoms of physical matter, 
upon which the chemist in his laboratory bases all his 
chemical compounds. In truth, it is that principle 

IN NATURE WHICH IMPELS EVERY ENTITY TO SEEK VI- 
BRATORY CORRESPONDENCE WITH ANOTHER LIKE ENTITY 
OF OPPOSITE POLARITY. (J 112.) 



126 Why Are We Here? 

But there are yet higher manifestations of the same 
law or principle in operation. These rise to the more 
exalted plane of psychic phenomena. They constitute 
the indices by which we mark the constructive unfold- 
ment and evolutionary development of the human 
soul. They measure the increasing power of human 
intelligence. They signalize the growing refinement 
of moral sentiment and aesthetic taste. They evidence 
the increasing sensibility of human conscience. They 
mark the growth of human sympathy with and care 
for those who need. They measure the increasing 
stature of human character. They indicate the evo- 
lutionary construction of psychic individuality. (J 
113.) 

The Constructive Principle in Nature and 
its application to human life, the develop- 
ment of the individual will and the unf old- 
ment of the real Spiritual man, or Soul, is 
so completely set forth and elaborated in 
"The Great Work" that such citations as 
are given here can only serve as indications 
of what a rich treat is in store for those who 
will read the book. 

The "Method" of the Great School has been 
wrought out in conformity with the Constructive 
Principle and Process of Nature in Individual Life. 
The primary and fundamental purpose of this method 
is to unfold and develop the faculties, capacities and 
powers of the Intelligent Soul to their highest con- 
structive possibilities under the dominion and control 



Why Are We Here? 127 

of the individual himself, and subject alone to the in- 
dependent action and operation of his own will. (J 

148.) 

After showing that the development of 
constructive spirituality has its very foun- 
dation in the individual practice of moral- 
ity, and that " Morality is as truly and defi- 
nitely a matter of science as is chemistry/' 
T. K. further says : 

With an ethical foundation once established in sci- 
ence, the problem is then resolved into a mere question 
of how far the individual student shall conform his 
or her life to its principles. For that is the inexor- 
able standard by which Nature measures and de- 
termines individual unfoldment, development and 
progress from that point. Here we have the law of 
evolution in operation. It is absolute and immutable. 
There is no evading- or avoiding it. (J 150, 151.) 

For it is a fact which must sooner or later come to 
the knowledge of every student, that without this ap- 
plication of moral principles to individual conduct, 
and without the living of a life in conformity with 
Nature's Constructive Principle, there is no amount 
of "technical work" or study that is sufficient to un- 
lock the spiritual senses and place them under the in- 
dependent control of the intelligent will of the indi- 
vidual. (J 151.) 

The individual who has developed spiritual powers 
through the Practice of Moral Principles, by the same 
law loses and forfeits those powers the moment he de- 
stroys the basis on which they rest, that is, when he 
begins to practice principles which are not Moral. 



128 Why Are We Here? 

* * * He forfeits his power because he destroys the 
foundation upon which it rests. (J 154, 155.) 

Morality is man's established harmonic rela- 
tion TO THE CONSTRUCTIVE PRINCIPLE OF HIS OWN BE- 
ING. (J 170.) 

Through the intelligent exercise of the Power of 
Self-control we may place ourselves in perfect align- 
ment with the Constructive Principle of Nature in In- 
dividual Life and thereby add to Nature's evolution- 
ary impulse the intelligent effort of our own Souls. 
(J 288, 289.) 

Self-Control is the word in letters of Light upon 
the guide-post which stands at the parting of ways 
and points with its "Hand of Love" to this "Path* 
way of Duty." (J 289.) 

When the student comes fully to realize that his 
Personal Responsibility involves a Duty, Burden or 
Obligation which nature, or the Great Intelligence 
back of nature, fixes upon him as a definite and neces- 
sary part of, and factor in the scheme of Individual 
Evolution ; when he comes to appreciate the fact that 
it is something which cannot be shifted to other shoul- 
ders, nor otherwise escaped ; when he is able to under- 
stand with clearness and certainty that it is a pro- 
vision of nature which, sooner or later, must be met, 
and the sooner the better for him; when he comes 
to know deep down within his inmost Soul that there 
is just one way, and one only, to meet it, viz: by 
"The Living of a Life"; then it is that he seeks 
to learn the exact nature of the Life he must live in 
order that he may thereby meet the full requirements 
of the Law. And this is, indeed, the beginning of 
wisdom. (J 387.) 



J 



Out of the night that covers me, 
Black as the pit from pole to pole, 

I thank whatever gods may be 
For my unconquerable soul! 

In the strong stress of circumstance 
I have not winced or cried aloud; 

Under the bludgeoning s of chance 
My head is bloody but unbowed! 
• ••-##• 

It matters not how strait the gate, 

How charged with punishments the scroll, 

I am the master of my fate; 
I am the captain of my soul. 

— W. E. Henley. 



CHAPTER XII. 

COMPLETION OF EARTHLY EMBODIMENTS J THE RE-UNITED 
SOUL OR ANGEL OF EARTH; THE ONE PERFECT 
MARRIAGE; ANGELIC STATES; ANGELIC MINIS- 
TRATION; EMBODIMENTS ON OTHER PLAN- 
ETS ! ARCHANGELS AND MESSIAHS. 



IF the reader has followed the line of 
thought outlined up to this point, with a 
mind freed from preconceived ideas and 
open to the reception of truth from any 
source, he should be impressed with the logic 
of this presentation of life's purpose. He 
should be able to apply the theories given 
herein, to every puzzling problem of life and 
to find a rational explanation of the inequal- 
ities, injustices, sorrows and iniquities of 
human existence. 

If the presentation has been too crude and 
imperfect to afford the reader a comprehen- 
sive grasp of the philosophy, he may find 
whatever is lacking by study of the various 
books referred to. Although this book is in- 
tended as a key to this earth life only, some 
curiosity may be aroused as to what follows 
after the Soul has completed all the neces- 
sary embodiments on this planet. 



132 Why Are We Here? 

When the Soul (divided in expression by 
material existence) has overcome all earthly 
temptations, passed through all earthly ex- 
periences, and learned all that may be 
learned by earthly embodiments, it becomes 
reunited as the culmination of all earthly 
embodiments. 

The Soul, in its two fold expression, having passed 
through all forms of embodiments, meets. This is the 
perfected Soul, in its conquest over matter. What is 
meant by this is, that when the expression of life is 
spiritually perfect, when the exaltation is complete 
and the earth has no more temptation, the Soul hav- 
ing expressed in every form, then the life is complete, 
then the dual life appears. 

Once only, in the entire series of embodiments, do 
these divided expressions of the Soul meet before this 
final expression. * * * This meeting is when one 
half of the cycles of earthly experience have been 
passed. It is a prophecy of the final recognition and 
leaves its impress or reminiscence. Such instances of 
marriage form the typical state of human happiness; 
it may not be accompanied with great exaltation in 
any other ways, but the perfectly happy marriage 
where there is never any jar nor discord, nor diverg- 
ence, there is spiritual, as well as mental and moral, 
interchange and blending. (E 79, 80.) 

When all possible states of mortal life on 
earth have been expressed, the recognition of 



Why Are We Here? 133 

the masculine and feminine takes place and 
the two become one Reunited Soul or an An- 
gel of Earth. 

When the Angel is completed in Expression, when 
such as these pass from mortal forms, they are not in 
spirit states but as one Angel enter the angelic state, 
which is beyond the spiritual state, the perfection of 
all spiritual states; they will no more be embodied in 
mortal form, but will have charge of the Souls that 
come after them. (E 85.) 

These Angels have possession of all experience and 
wisdom of earth, and thus have the power to aid oth- 
ers who are following on in the pathway and pil- 
grimage of earthly life. Those in the spheres of 
Angels, being beyond the spheres of ministering spir- 
its and departed friends, keep watch and guard by 
appointment over those spiritual states connected with 
the earth, each Angel appointing ministering spirits 
according to the need or state of mortals. (E 86.) 

The Angel remains in the angelic state for 
a period corresponding in point of time to 
that which was occupied in all the earthly 
expressions, and "in the angelic state there 
is fruition of all expressions and a period of 
ministration corresponding to all the time of 
experience. ' ' When this period has elapsed, 
then the Angel passes to the planet more ad- 
vanced than our Earth, where the lowest em- 
bodiment is higher than the highest embodi- 



134 Why Are We Here? 

ment on earth, and the entire round of em- 
bodiments must then be experienced upon 
that planet. 

It has often been suggested * * * that man was 
produced to eventually rule, or assist in ruling, other 
worlds. If this be true, a good reason for Evolution's 
slow processes can be discerned, because the Soul, 
which is the storehouse of memory, never forgets ; and 
consequently the wisdom which thus reached the 
highest grade would possess, in its memory, its own 
experiences in every previous plane of existence. * * * 
We notice, too, that the only sympathy that is of real 
value to those in lower grades is that which carries 
with it an understanding of the conditions which 
there obtain. So that if any personal sympathy be 
required in a ruler of a world * * * it is clear that 
it could only be acquired by the advance of the 
ruler's individuality through every condition of ex- 
istence. (K 83, 84.) 

The outer planets of your solar system reveal a life 
that is beyond statement. Life upon each planet re- 
veals as its culmination the Angels and Archangels, 
of as much higher degree as the planet itself is higher. 
Those higher planets and their expressions are so far 
beyond the imagination of the children of earth that 
it cannot be possible to state them, only to say that 
the embodiment on each planet begins where the ex- 
pression of the preceding planet culminates, until we 
reach the outermost planet of the solar system, where 
all are Archangels. These are the Souls who are 
ready to have charge over worlds. (E 94.) 

All states of existence having been expressed; all 
victories having been attained, as illustrated in the 



Why Are We Here? 135 

different conditions of human life upon planets and 
in the different degrees of Angelic and Archangelic 
states, there is but one other expression within the 
possible range of man's comprehension, or even con- 
ception, and that only in some of its results; the order 
of Divine Lives that come to the earth as Messiahs. 
(E 116.) 

The Messiahs are a prophecy for all : the state illus- 
trating the last and greatest victory over all expres- 
sion in matter; the entire forgetfulness of self; the 
perfect recognition of the divine entity in each Soul, 
and the Infinite entity, God. (E 116.) 

Such was Jesus. 



Father, hear the prayer we offer! 

Not for ease that prayer shall be, 
But for strength that we may ever 

Live our lives courageously. 

Not forever in green pastures 

Do we ask our way to be; 
But the steep and rugged pathway 

May we tread rejoicingly. 

— Anonymous. 



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